itibrarip  of  tie  tleolo^tcal  ^tnmarjp 

PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 

•3^e^D« 

FROM  THE  LIBRARY  OF 
ROBERT  ELLIOTT  SPEER 

RT  600  .L721902 
Liguori,  Alfonso  Maria  de ' , 
1696-1787 . 

The  glories  of  Mary 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2019  with  funding  from 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


https://archive.org/details/gloriesofmary00ligu_1 


THE  GLORIES  OF  MARY. 


Mary,  Queen  of  Heaven. 


THE 


ST.  ALPHONSUS  LIGUORI. 


\ 

ARRANGED  FOR  POPULAR  USE,  WITH  THE  ADDITION 
OF  PRAYERS  AND  DEVOTIONS. 


NEW  YORK,  CINCINNATI,  CHICAGO  : 

13  ENZI  G  K  1*  BROTHERS, 

Printers  to  the  Holy  Apostolic  See. 

1902. 


PH  11?  YH4# 

IKUbil  ©betat 


REMY  LAFORT, 

Censor  Librorum. 


imprimatur. 

JOHN  M.  FARLEY, 

Administrator  of  New  York. 


New  York,  June  18,  1902. 


Copyright,  1902,  by  Benziger  Brothers. 


CONTENTS. 


PART  I. 

Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

PAGE 

Chapter  I.  Hail,  holy  Queen,  Mother  of  Mercy. ...  17 

I.  How  great  should  be  our  Confidence  in  Mary, 

who  is  the  Queen  of  Mercy .  17 

Example .  23 

Prayer .  23 

II.  How  much  our  Confidence  in  Mary  should  be 

Increased,  because  she  is  our  Mother .  24 

Example .  28 

Prayer .  29 

III.  The  Greatness  of  the  Love  which  this  Mother 

bears  us .  30 

Example .  37 

Prayer .  38 

IV.  Mary,  our  Queen,  our  Mother .  38 

Example .  41 

Prayer .  42 

Chapter  II.  Our  Life,  our  Sweetness .  43 

I.  Mary  is  our  Life,  because  she  obtains  for  us  the 

«/  ' 

Pardon  of  our  Sins .  43 

Example .  47 

Prayer .  48 


5 


6 


Contents. 


PAGE 


II.  Mary  is  also  our  Life,  because  she  obtains  for 

us  Perseverance . 

Example . 

Prayer . 

III.  Mary  our  Sweetness;  she  renders  Death  Sweet 

to  her  Clients . 

Example . 

Prayer  . 

Chapter  III.  Mary,  our  Hope . 

I.  Mary  is  the  Hope  of  All . 

Example . 

Prayer . 

II.  Mary  is  the  Hope  of  Sinners . 

Example . 

Prayer . 

Chapter  IV.  To  Thee  do  we  cry,  poor  banished  Chil¬ 
dren  of  Eve . 

I.  The  Promptitude  of  Mary  in  Assisting  those  who 

Invoke  her . 

Example  . 

Prayer . 

II.  The  Greatness  of  the  Power  of  Mary  to  Defend 

those  who  Invoke  her  when  tempted  by  the 

Devil . 

Example  . 

Prayer  . 

Chapter  V.  To  Thee  do  we  Sigh,  Mourning  and  Weep¬ 
ing,  in  this  Valley  of  Tears . 

I.  The  Necessity  of  the  Intercession  of  Mary  for 

our  Salvation . 

Example  . 

Prayer  of  St.  Peter  Damian . 

II.  The  Same  Subject  Continued . 


49 

54 

54 

55 

58 

59 

60 
60 
66 
67 
67 

72 

73 

74 

74 

78 

79 


80 

83 

84 

85 

85 

98 

99 
100, 


Contents. 


7 


PAGE 

Example .  104 

Prayer .  105 

Chapter  VI.  O  Gracious  Advocate . 106 

I.  Mary  is  an  Advocate  who  is  able  to  Save  all.  . .  .  106 

Example .  114 

Prayer  of  St.  Ephrem .  115 

II.  Mary  is  so  tender  an  Advocate  that  she  does 

not  Refuse  to  Defend  the  Cause  even  of  the 

Most  Miserable .  116 

Example .  120 

Prayer  of  William,  Bishop  of  Paris .  121 

III.  Mary  is  the  Peacemaker  between  Sinners  and 

God  . > .  121 

Example . 124 

Prayer  .  125 

Chapter  VII.  Turn,  then,  Thine  Eyes  of  Mercy 

towards  us . 126 

Mary  is  all  Eves  to  Pitv  and  Succor  us  in  our 

Necessities .  126 

Example .  129 

Prayer  of  St.  Anselm .  130 

Chapter  VIII.  And  after  this  our  Exile  show  unto 

us  the  Blessed  Fruit  of  Thy  Womb,  Jesus.  .  .  .  132 

I.  Mai  *y  delivers  her  Clients  from  Hell .  132 

Example .  136 

Prayer  of  St.  Bernard .  137 

II.  Mary  leads  her  Servants  to  Heaven .  137 

Example .  142 

Prayer .  143 

Chapter  IX.  O  Merciful,  0  Pious .  144 

How  great  are  the  Clemency  and  Compassion  of 

Mary . 144 

Example .  147 


8 


Contents . 


PAGE 

Prayer  .  148 

Chapter  X.  O  sweet  Virgin  Mary .  150 

The  Sweetness  of  the  Name  of  Mary  during  Life 

and  at  Death .  150 

Example .  156 

Prayer .  158 

The  Virtues  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  .  .  .  159 

I.  The  Humility  of  Mary .  160 

II.  Mary’s  Charity  towards  God .  164 

III.  Mary’s  Charity  towards  her  Neighbor .  167 

IV.  Mary’s  Faith .  169 

V.  Mary’s  Hope .  173 

VI.  Mary’s  Chastity .  175 

VII.  Mary’s  Poverty .  179 

VIII.  Mary’s  Obedience .  181 

IX.  Mary’s  Patience .  183 

X.  The  Spirit  of  Prayer  and  Meditation  in  Mary.  186 


PART  SECOND. 

Practices  of  Devotion  in  Honor  of  the  Divine  Mother. 

The  Hail  Mary .  191 

Easting .  194 

The  Visiting  of  the  Images  of  Mary .  195 

Confraternities  of  our  Blessed  Lady .  195 

Several  other  Practices  in  Honor  of  Mary .  197 

Ejaculatory  Prayers .  202 

The  Little  Office  and  the  Litany .  203 

Novenas  .  203 

Meditations  on  the  Litany  of  Loretto,  for  a  Novena 

to  the  Blessed  Virgin .  206 


Contents. 


9 


PAGE 


Meditation  I.: 

I.  Sancta  Maria,  ora  pro  nobis. — “  Holy  Mary, 

pray  for  us,” .  206 

II.  Sancta  Maria. — “  Holy  Mary.” .  207 

III.  Sancta  Dei  Genitrix. — “  Holy  Mother  of 

God.” .  208 

Meditation  II.: 

I.  Mater  divinae  gratiae. — “  Mother  of  Divine 

Grace.” .  208 

II.  Mater  purissima. — “Mother  most  Pure.”....  209 

III.  Mater  inviolata. — “Mother  Undefiled.” . 210 

Meditation  III.: 

I.  Mater  amabilis. — “Mother  most  Amiable.”.  .  .  211 

II.  Mater  salvatoris. — “  Mother  of  our  Re¬ 
deemer.” .  212 

III.  Virgo  veneranda. — “Virgin  most  Vener¬ 
able.” .  213 


Meditation  IV. : 

I.  Virgi  praedicanda. — “Virgin  most  Renowned.”  213 

II.  Virgo  potens.- — “Virgin  most  Powerful.”...  214 

III.  Virgo  clemens. — “Virgin  most  Merciful.”..  215 
Meditation  V.: 


I.  Virgo  fidelis. — “Virgin  most  Faithful.” .  210 

II.  Causa  nostra  laetitiae. — “  Cause  of  our  Joy.”.,  217 

III.  Vas  insigne  devotionis. — “  Vessel  of  Singular 

Devotion.” .  218 

Meditation  VI.: 

I.  Domus  aurea. — “House  of  Gold.” .  219 

Meditation  VII.: 

I.  Rosa  mystica. — “  Mystical  Rose.” .  220 

II.  Tunis  Davidica. — “Tower  of  David.” .  221 

III.  Faederis  area. — “  Ark  of  the  Covenant.”.  .  .  .  222 

IV.  Jan.ua  eoeli. — “Gate  of  Heaven.” .  223 


10 


Contents. 


PAGE 


Meditation  VIII.: 

I.  Stella  matutina. — “Morning  Star.” . 224 

II.  Salus  infirmorum. — “  Health  of  the  Weak.”.  .  224 

III.  Refugium  peccatorum. — “  Refuge  of  Sin¬ 
ners.”  .  225 

Meditation  IX.: 

I.  Consolatrix  afflictorum. — “  Comfortress  of  the 

Afflicted.” .  226 

II.  Auxilium  Christianorum. — “  Help  of  Chris¬ 
tians.” .  227 

III.  Regina  martyrum. — “Queen  of  Martyrs.”..  228 
The  Feasts  of  Mary  and  their  Appropriate  Devotions.  230 

Feast  of  the  Immaculate  Conception .  230 

Historical  Explanation . 230 

No  vena  for  the  Feast .  231 

At  the  beginning  of  the  Novena .  231 

Preparatory  Prayer . 232 

Meditations .  239 

Example .  241 

Prayer .  242 

Little  Chaplet  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  .  243 

Prayer  to  Obtain  Purity .  243 

An  Act  of  Faith  in  the  Immaculate  Conception.  244 

Little  Office  of  the  Immaculate  Conception .  244 

Prayers  which  may  be  said  after  the  Office  of 

the  Immaculate  Conception .  253 

The  Feast  of  the  Purification .  254 

Historical  Explanation . 254 

Novena  for  the  Feast .  255 

Prayers .  255 

Meditations .  258 

Example .  260 

Prayer .  260 

The  Feast  of  the  Immaculate  Heart  of  Mary .  261 


Contents. 


11 


Historical  Explanation . 

Novena  for  the  Feast . 

Considerations . 

Example . 

Prayer  of  St.  Athanasius . 

Little  Chaplet  in  Honor  of  the 

Heart  of  Mary . 

The  Feast  of  the  Annunciation . 

Historical  Explanation . 

Novena  for  the  Feast . 

Meditation . 

Example . 

Prayer . . 

"The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors . 

Historical  Explanation . 

Meditations  on  the  Seven  Dolors: 

I.  St.  Simeon's  Prophecy . 

Example . 

Prayer  . 

II.  The  Flight  into  Egypt . 

Example . . 

Prayer . . 


PAGE 

.  261 

.  263 

.  265 

.  265 

.  266 

Immaculate 

.  266 

.  269 

.  269 

.  270 

.  273 

.  275 

.  276 

.  277 


277 

280 

281 

282 

285 

286 


III.  The  Loss  of  Jesus  in  the  Temple .  286 

Example .  289 

Prayer .  289 


IV.  The  Meeting  of  Mary  with  Jesus  when 


He  was  going  to  Death .  290 

Example .  293 

Prayer .  293 

V.  The  Death  of  Jesus .  294 

Example .  296 

Prayer .  297 


12 


Contents. 


PAGE 

VI.  The  Piercing  of  the  Side  of  Jesus,  and  His 

Descent  from  the  Cross .  297 

Example .  299 

Prayer .  301 

VII.  The  Burial  of  Jesus .  301 

Example .  304 

Prayer. . 305 

Little  Rosary  in  Honor  of  the  Seven  Dolors 

of  Mary .  305 

Explanation .  305 

Stabat  Mater .  310 

The  Feast  of  the  Visitation .  313 

Historical  Explanation .  313 

Novena  for  the  Feast .  314 

Meditations .  315 

Example .  317 

Prayer  of  St.  Jane  Frances  de  Chantal .  318 

The  Feast  of  Our  Lady  of  Mount  Carmel  and  the 

Scapular .  318 

Historical  Explanation .  318 

Example .  323 

Prayer  to  Obtain  a  Good  Death .  323 

Novena  for  the  Feast — a  Devotion  for  those  who 

wear  the  Brown  Scapular .  324 

Special  Prayer  to  Our  Lady  of  Mount  Carmel.  .  331 

The  Feast  of  the  Assumption .  332 

Historical  Explanation .  332 

Novena  for  the  Feast .  333 

Meditations .  340 

Example .  348 

A  Prayer  to  the  Blessed  Virgin .  349 

The  Feast  of  the  Nativity .  350 

Historical  Explanation .  350 


Contents. 


13 


PAGE 

Novena  for  the  Feast... .  351 

Meditations .  354 

Example .  356 

Prayer  of  the  Venerable  Louis  Blosius .  356 

The  Rosary  and  its  Feast .  357 

Historical  Explanation .  357 

Example . . .  362 

Prayer  of  St.  Bernard .  363 

Confraternity  of  the  Rosary .  364 

The  Living  Rosary . . .  365 

Privileges  and  Indulgences .  369 

Meditations .  370 

The  Five  Joyful  Mysteries .  370 

The  Five  Sorrowful  Mysteries .  375 

The  Five  Glorious  Mysteries .  378 

Consecration  to  Our  Lady  of  the  Rosary .  381 

Easy  and  Short  Method  of  Saying  the  Rosary.  .  383 

The  Feast  of  the  Presentation .  384 

Historical  Explanation .  384 

No  vena  for  the  Feast .  385 

Meditations .  387 

Example .  389 

Prayer .  389 

Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May .  390 

Introduction .  390 

The  Manner  in  which  we  should  Practise  the 

May  Devotions .  392 

First  Day:  Prayer  of  St.  Augustine .  393 

On  the  Means  of  Perfection .  394 

Prayer  of  St.  Alphonsus  Liguori .  394#^ 

Second  Day:  On  the  Love  of  Pleasure . 396 

Third  Day:  On  the  Interior  Passions.  . ’. .  397 

Fourth  Day:  On  Anger .  397 


14 


Contents. 


PAGE. 

Fifth  Day:  On  the  Love  of  Persons .  398 

Sixth  Day:  On  Self-will .  399 

Seventh  Day:  On  Patience .  400 

Eighth  Day:  On  External  Mortification .  401 

Ninth  Day:  On  Restraining  the  Tongue .  402 

Dentil  Day:  Love  of  Possessions .  403 

Eleventh  Day:  On  Striving  for  Spiritual  Treas¬ 
ures . 403 

Twelfth  Day:  On  Charity  towards  our  Neighbor..  404 

Thirteenth  Day:  On  Exterior  Charity .  405 

Fourteenth  Day:  Love  of  Self-esteem .  405 

Fifteenth  Day:  On  Humbly  Receiving  Contempt.  .  406 

Sixteenth  Day:  On  the  Practice  of  Humility .  407 

Seventeenth  Day:  On  True  Love  of  God .  408 

Eighteenth  Day:  On  Suffering .  409 

Nineteenth  Day:  Remembrance  of  God's  Pres¬ 
ence .  410 

Twentieth  Day:  On  Spiritual  Communion .  410 

Twenty-first  Day:  On  Holy  Communion .  411 

Twenty-second  Day:  On  Faith  in  the  Blessed 

Sacrament .  412 

Twenty-third  Day:  On  an  Active  Love  of  God.  .  .  .  413 

Twenty-fourth  Day:  On  Prayer .  414 

Twenty-fifth  Day:  On  the  Exclusive  Love  of  God.  41u 

Twenty-sixth  Day:  On  a  Desire  for  Sanctity .  416 

Twenty-seventh  Day:  On  Resolution .  416 

Twenty-eighth  Day:  On  Confidence .  417 

Twenty-ninth  Day:  On  the  Continual  Service  of 

God .  418 

Thirtieth  Day:  On  a  Yearning  for  Paradise .  419 

Thirty-first  Day:  On  a  Happy  Death .  420 

Various  Prayers  to  Mary .  421 

Dedication  of  One’s  Self  to  Mary . a .  421 


Contents. 


15 


PAGE 

Offering  of  a  Family  to  Mary .  422 

The  Memorare .  423 

Prayers  for  Every  Day  in  the  Week .  423 

Sunday:  To  Obtain  the  Forgiveness  of  our  Sins.  .  424 

Monday:  To  Obtain  Holy  Perseverance .  425 

Tuesday:  To  Obtain  a  Good  Death .  42(3 

Wednesday:  To  Obtain  Deliverance  from  Hell....  427 

Thursday:  To  Obtain  Heaven .  429 

Friday:  To  Obtain  Love  towards  her  and  Jesus 

Christ .  430 

Saturday:  To  Obtain  her  Patronage .  431 


PART  THIRD. 

General  Prayers. 

Morning  Prayers: 

An  Act  of  Adoration .  433 

An  Act  of  Faith .  434 

An  Act  of  Hope .  434 

An  Act  of  Charity .  434 

The  Lord’s  Prayer .  434 

The  Angelical  Salutation..- .  435 

The  Apostles’  Creed .  435 

The  Confiteor .  435 

Offering  to  the  Blessed  Virgin .  43(3 

The  Litany  of  the  Most  Holy  Name  of  Jesus .  437 

Prayers  during  the  Day: 

The  Angelus .  440 

The  Regina  Coeli . 441 

Evening  Prayers: 

Examination  of  Conscience .  443 


16 


Contents . 


PAGE 

Firm  Purpose  of  Amendment .  444 

The  Litany  of  the  Blessed  Virgin .  444 

De  Profundis . 448 

Prayer  for  Protection  during  the  Night .  449 

Devout  Method  of  Hearing  Mass  in  Honor  of  the 

Blessed  Virgin  Mary .  450 

Method  of  Hearing  Mass  (St.  Leonard  of  Port  Mau¬ 
rice)  .  470 

Mass  for  the  Dead .  475 

Hymn:  Dies  Irse .  478 

Prayers  for  Confession .  492 

Before  Confession .  492 

After  Confession .  494 

Acts  Before,  and  After  Communion .  495 

Before  Communion .  495 

After  Communion .  500 

Anima  Christ! .  505 

Vespers  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary .  506 

The  Stations  or  Way  of  the  Cross .  514 


THE  GLORIES  OF  MARY. 


PART  FIRST. 

(Explanation  of  rlir  sulur  Regina. 

THE  MANY  AND  ABUNDANT  GRACES  DISPENSED  BY  THE 
MOTHER  OF  GOD  TO  HER  DEVOUT  CLIENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Salve,  Regina,  Mater  Misericordice ! 

HAIL,  HOLY  QUEEN,  MOTHER  OF  MERCY! 

Mary,  our  Queen,  our  Mother. 

I. 

How  great  should  be  our  Confidence  in  Mary,  who  is 

the  Queen  of  Mercy. 

As  the  glorious  Virgin  Mary  has  been  raised  to 
the  dignity  of  Mother  of  the  King  of  kings,  it  is 
not  without  reason  that  the  Church  honors  her, 
and  wishes  her  to  be  honored  by  all,  with  the 
glorious  title  of  Queen.  Ko  sooner  had  Mary 
consented  to  be  Mother  of  the  Eternal  Word, 
than  she  merited  by  this  consent  to  be  made 
Queen  of  the  world  and  of  all  creatures.  “  Since 

17 


18 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


the  flesh  of  Mary/’  remarks  the  Abbot  Arnold  of 
Chartres,  “was  not  different  from  that  of  Jesus, 
how  can  the  royal  dignity  of  the  Son  be  denied 
to  the  Mother?  ” 

f  |And  if  Jesns  is  the  King  of  the  universe,  Mary 
\  is  also  its  Queen,  and  as  Queen  she  possesses,  by 
|  right,  the  whole  kingdom  of  her  Son.  Hence  as 
many  creatures  as  there  are  who  serve  God,  so 
\  many  they  are  who  serve  Mary:  for  as  angels  and 
1  men,  and  all  things  that  are  in  heaven  and  on 
earth,  are  subject  to  the  empire  of  God,  so  are 
they  also  under  the  dominion  of  Mary! 

Mary,  then,  is  a  Queen:  but,  for  our  common 
consolation,  be  it  known  that  she  is  a  Queen  so 
sweet,  clement,  and  so  ready  to  help  us  in  our 
miseries,  that  the  holy  Church  wills  that  we 
should  salute  her  in  this  prayer  under  the  title  of 
Queen  of  mercy. 

Kings  at  their  consecration  have  their  heads 
anointed  with  oil,  which  is  the  symbol  of  mercy, 
to  denote  thatj  as  kings,  they  should,  above  all 
things,  nourish  in  their  hearts  feelings  of  com¬ 
passion  and  benevolence  towards  their  subjects. 
Kings  should,  then,  occupy  themselves  princi¬ 
pally  in  works  of  mercy,  but  not  so  as  to  forget 
the  just  punishments  that  are  to  be  inflicted  on 
the  guilty.  It  is,  however,  not  thus  with  Mary, 
who,  although  a  Queen,  is  not  a  queen  of  justice. 


Mary ,  our  Queen ,  our  Mother. 


19 


intent  on  the  punishment  of  the  wicked,  hut  a 
queen  of  mercy,  intent  only  on  commiserating 
and  pardoning  sinners.  And  this  is  the  reason 
for  which  the  Church  requires  that  we  should 
expressly  call  her  “  the  Queen  of  mercy.”  This 
was  foretold  by  the  prophet  David  himself;  for 
he  says  that  God  consecrated  Mary  Queen  of 
mercy,  anointing  her  with  the  oil  of  gladness — 
God  hath  anointed  thee  with  the  oil  of  gladness — in 
order  that  we  miserable  children  of  Adam  might 
rejoice,  remembering  that  in  heaven  we  have  this 
great  Queen,  overflowing  with  the  unction  of 
mercy  and  compassion  towards  us,  as  St.  Bona- 
venture  says. 

And  how  beautifully  does  not  Blessed  Albert 
the  Great  apply  to  this  subject  the  history  of 
Queen  Esther,  who  was  herself  a  great  type  of 
our  Queen  Mary!  We  read,  in  the  fourth  chap¬ 
ter  of  the  Book  of  Esther,  that  in  the  reign  of 
Assuerus  a  decree  was  issued  by  which  all  Jews 
were  condemned  to  death.  Mardochai,  who  was 
one  of  the  condemned,  addressed  himself  to 
Esther,,  in  order  that  she  might  interpose  with 
Assuerus,  and  obtain  the  revocation  of  the  de¬ 
cree,  and  thus  be  the  salvation  of  all.  At  first 
Esther  declined  the  office,  fearing  that  such  a 
request  might  irritate  the  king  still  more;  but 
Mardochai  reproved  her,  sending  her  word  that 


20 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


she  was  not  to  think  only  of  saving  herself,  for 
God  had  placed  her  on  the  throne  to  obtain  the 
salvation  of  all  the  Jews.  “  Think  not”  said  Mar- 
dochai,  “  that  thou  mayest  save  thy  life  only,  because 
thou  art  in  the  king's  house,  more  than  all  the 
Jews.”  As  soon  as  Assnerus  saw  Esther  standing 
before  him,  he  asked  her,  with  love,  what  she 
came  to  seek.  “What  is  thy  request?"  The 
Queen  replied,  “  If  I  have  found  favor  in  thy  sight, 
0  King,  give  me  my  people,  for  which  I  request  " 
Assnerus  granted  her  request,  and  immediately 
ordered  the  revocation  of  the  decree.  And  now, 
if  Assuerus,  through  love  for  Esther,  granted,  at 
her  request,  salvation  to  the  Jews,  how  can  God 
refuse  the  prayers  of  Mary,  loving  her  immensely 
as  he  does,  when  she  prays  for  poor  miserable 
sinners  who  recommend  themselves  to  her,  and 
says  to  him,  “  My  King  and  my  God,  if  I  have 
found  favor  in  Thy  sight,  give  me  my  people 
for  which  I  ask,  these  sinners  for  whom  I  entreat 
Thee.”  Is  it  possible  that  God  should  refuse 
her?  And  who  is  ignorant  of  the  power  of  the 
prayers  of  Mary  with  God?  The  law  of  clemency 
is  on  her  tongue.  St.  Bernard  asks  why  the 
Church  calls  Mary  “  the  Queen  of  mercy.”  And 
he  replies  that  “  it  is  because  we  believe  that  she 
opens  the  abyss  of  the  mercy  of  God  to  whomso¬ 
ever  she  wills,  when  she  wills,  and  as  she  wills;  so 


Mary ,  our  Queen,  our  Mother.  21 

that  there  is  no  sinner,  however  great,  who  is  lost 
if  Mary  protects  him.” 

But  perhaps  we  may  fear  that  Mary  would  not 
deign  to  interpose  for  some  sinners,  because  they 
are  so  overloaded  with  crimes?  Or  perhaps  we 
ought  to  be  overawed  at  the  majesty  and  holiness 
of  this  great  Queen?  “  No,”  says  St.  Gregory 
VII.,  “  for  the  higher  and  more  holy  she  is,  the 
greater  is  her  sweetness  and  compassion  towards 
sinners,  who  have  recourse  to  her  with  the  desire 
to  amend  their  lives.”  Kings  and  queens,  with 
their  ostentation  of  majesty,  inspire  terror,  and 
cause  their  subjects  to  fear  to  approach  them:  but 
what  fear,  says  St.  Bernard,  can  the  miserable 
have  to  approach  this  Queen  of  mercy,  for  she 
inspires  no  terror,  and  shows  no  severity  to  those 
who  come  to  her,  but  is  all  sweetness  and  gentle¬ 
ness.  “  Why  should  human  frailty  fear  to  go  to 
Mary?  In  her  there  is  no  austerity,  nothing  ter¬ 
rible:  she  is  all  sweetness,  offering  milk  and  wool 
to  all.” 

But  how,  to  use  the  words  of  St.  Bonaventure, 
canst  thou,  0  Mary,  who  art  the  Queen  of  mercy, 
refuse  to  succor  the  miserable?  And  “  who,” 
asks  the  saint,  “  are  the  subjects  for  mercy,  if  not 
the  miserable?”  “  Nothing  resists  thy  power,” 
says  St.  George  of  Nicomedia,  “  for  our  common 
Creator,  honoring  thee  as  his  Mother,  considers 


22 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


thy  glory  as  his  own;  ”  and  the  Son,  “  exulting  in 

it,  fulfils  thy  petitions  as  if  he  were  paying  a 

debt  ”■ — meaning  thereby  that  although  Mary  is 

under  an  infinite  obligation  to  the  Son  for  having 

chosen  her  to  be  his  Mother,  yet  it  cannot  be 

denied  that  ^the  Son  is  under  great  obligation  to 
m  s 

her  for  having  given  him  his  humanity;  and  there- 
fore  Jesus,  to  pay,  as  it  were,  what  he  owes  to 
Mary,  and  glorying  in  her  glory,  honors  her  in  a 
special  manner  by  listening  to  and  granting  all 

he: 


should  be  our  confidence  in 


this  Queen,  knowing  her  great  power  with  God, 
and  that  she  is  so  rich  and  full  of  mercy  that 
there  is  no  one  living  on  the  earth  who  does  not 
partake  of  her  compassion  and  favor!  This  was 
revealed  by  our  blessed  Lady  herself  to  St.  Brid¬ 
get,  saying,  “  I  am  the  Queen  of  heaven  and  the 
Mother  of  mercy;  1  am  the  joy  of  the  just,  and 
the  door  through  which  sinners  are  brought  to 
God.  There  is  no  sinner  on  earth  so  accursed  as 
to  be  deprived  of  my  mercy,  .  .  .  no  one  is  so  cast 
off  by  God  that  he  will  not  return  to  him,  and 
enjoy  his  mercy,  if  he  invokes  my  aid.” 

Let  us,  then,  have  recourse,  and  always  have 
recourse,  to  this  most  sweet  Queen,  if  we  would 
be  certain  of  salvation;  and  if  we  are  alarmed  and 
disheartened  at  the  sight  of  our  sins,  let  us  re- 


Mary ,  our  Queen ,  our  Mother. 


2, 


member  that  it  is  in  order  to  save  the  greatest 
and  most  abandoned  sinners,  who  recommend 
themselves  to  her,  that  Mary  is  made  the  Queen 
of  mercy. 


Example. 

A  man  of  high  social  position  who  had  not  re¬ 
ceived  the  sacraments  for  a  long  time  entered  a 
church  of  Our  Lady  of  Perpetual  Help, — not  from 
any  motive  of  religion  or  contrition,  but  merely  out 
of  curiosity.  As  he  looked  at  the  picture  of  Our 
Lady  he  began  to  have  a  sense  of  inner  perplexity 
and  disquiet.  Fear  and  remorse  of  conscience  took 
possession  of  his  soul.  Lie  turned  away  his  eyes, 
seeking  to  distract  himself,  but  the  compassionate 
countenance  of  the  Mother  of  God  remained  im¬ 
pressed  on  his  soul  and  reproached  him  with  his 
godless  life.  To  rid  himself  of  this  depressing 
thought  he  went  to  another  side  of  the  church, 
but  here  too  the  face  of  the  most  blessed  Virgin 
rose  before  Lis  eyes.  So  he  left  the  church  to 
try  to  find  forgetfulness  outside,  but  the  com¬ 
passionate  gaze  of  the  merciful  Queen  of  heaven 
is  upon  him  wherever  he  turns.  At  last  it  seems 
to  him  as  if  Mary  were  grieving  because  of  his  sins. 
He  resolves  to  reform  his  life,  and  a  penitent  con¬ 
fession  and  absolution  bring  back  peace  and  quiet 
to  his  heart. 

Prayer. 

O  Mother  of  my  God,  and  my  Lady  Mary;  as  a 
beggar,  all  wounded  and  sore,  presents  himself  be¬ 
fore  a  great  queen,  so  do  I  present  myself  before 
thee,  who  art  the  Queen  of  heaven  and  earth.  From 
the  lofty  throne  on  which  thou  sittest,  disdain  not, 
.  I  implore  thee,  to  cast  thine  eyes  on  me,  a  poor 


J>  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

/  God  has  made  thee  so  rich  that  thou 
-fittest  assist  the  poor,  and  has  constituted  thee 
Queen  of  mercy  in  order  that  thou  mightest  relieve 
the  miserable.  Behold  me  then,  and  pity  me :  behold 
me  and  abandon  me  not,  until  thou  seest  me  changed 
from  a  sinner  into  a  saint.  I  know  well  that  I 
merit  nothing ;  nay,  more,  that  I  deserve,  on  account 
of  my  ingratitude,  to  be  deprived  of  the  graces 
that,  through  thy  means,  I  have  already  received 
from  God.  But  thou,  who  art  the  Queen  of  mercy, 
seekest  not  merits,  but  miseries,  in  order  to  help 
the  needy.  But  who  is  more  needy  than  I  ?  Accept 
me,  0  Mary,  for  thine  own,  and  as  thine,  take 
charge  of  my  salvation.  If,  during  the  time  past, 
I  have  served  thee  ill,  and  lost  so  many  occasions  of 
honoring  thee,  for  the  future  I  will  be  one  of  thy 
most  loving  and  faithful  servants.  I  am  determined 
that  from  this  day  forward  no  one  shall  sur¬ 
pass  me  in  honoring  and  loving  thee,  my  most 
amiable  Queen.  This  I  promise;  and  this,  with  thy 
help,  I  hope  to  execute.  Amen. 

II. 

How  much  our  Confidence  in  Mary  should  be  Increased 
because  she  is  our  Mother. 

Sin,  by  depriving  our  souls  of  divine  grace, 
deprived  them  also  of  life.  J esus  our  Redeemer, 
with  an  excess  of  mercy  and  love,  came  to  restore 
this  life  by  his  own  death  on  the  cross,  as  he  him¬ 
self  declared:  I  am,  come  that  they  may  have  life. 
(John  x.  10.)  So  that  by  reconciling  ns  with  God 
he  made  himself  the  Father  of  souls  in  the  law  of 
grace.  But  if  Jesus  is  the  Father  of  our  souls, 


Mary ,  our  Queen ,  our  Mother.  25 

Mary  is  also  their  Mother;  for  she,  by  giving  us 
Jesus,  gave  us  true  life;  and  afterwards,  by  offer¬ 
ing  the  life  of  her  Son  on  Mount  Calvary  for  our 
salvation,  she  brought  us  forth  to  the  life  of 
grace. 

On  two  occasions,  then,  according  to  the  holy 
Fathers,  Mary  became  our  spiritual  Mother. 

The  first,  according  to  Blessed  Albert  the 
Great,  was  when  she  merited  to  conceive  in  her 
virginal  womb  the  Son  of  God.  St.  Bernardine 
of  Sienna  says  the  same  thing  more  distinctly,  for 
he  tells  us  “  that  when  at  the  Annunciation  the 
most  blessed  Virgin  gave  the  consent  which  was 
expected  by  the  Eternal  Word  before  becoming 
her  Son,  she  from  that  moment  asked  our  salva¬ 
tion  of  God  with  intense  ardor,  and  took  it  to 
heart  in  such  a  way,  that  from  that  moment,  as 
a  most  loving  mother,  she  bore  us  in  her  womb.” 

The  second  occasion  on  which  Mary  became  our 
spiritual  Mother,  and  brought  us  forth  to  the  life 
of  grace,  was  when  she  offered  to  the  Eternal 
Father  the  life  of  her  beloved  Son  on  Mount  Cal- 
varv,  with  so  bitter  sorrow  and  suffering.  So  that 
St.  Augustine  declares,  that  “  as  she  then  co¬ 
operated  by  her  love  in  the  birth  of  the  faithful 
to  the  life  of  grace,  she  became  the  spiritual 
Mother  of  all  who  are  members  of  the  one  Head, 
Christ  Jesus.”  (De  S.  Virginitate,  C.  VI.) 


26  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

Through  the  Redemption  we  belong  to  the  Son 
of  God,  but  can  we  belong  to  him  without  be¬ 
longing  also  to  the  Mother?  Does  not  that  which 
makes  of  us  children  of  Jesus  also  bring  us  most 
near  to  Mary?  Did  not  Jesus  signify  this  when, 
before  expiring,  he  looked  down  from  the  cross 
on  his  Mother  and  on  the  disciple  St.  John,  who 
stood  at  its  foot,  and,  first  addressing  Mary,  he 
said,  Behold  thy  son;  as  it  were  saying,  Behold  the 
whole  human  race,  which  by  the  offer  thou 
makest  of  my  life  for  the  salvation  of  all,  is  even 
now  being  born  to  the  life  of  grace.  Then,  turn¬ 
ing  to  the  disciple,  he  said.  Behold  tliy  Mother. 
(John  xix.  26.) 

St.  John  himself,  in  stating  this  fact  in  his 
gospel,  says:  “  Then  he  said  to  the  disciple. 
Behold  thy  Mother Here  observe  well  that 
Jesus  Christ  did  not  address  himself  to  John,  but 
to  the  disciple. 

“  John  is  but  the  name  of  one,  whereas  the  word 
disciple  is  applicable  to  all;  therefore  Our  Lord 
makes  use  of  a  name  common  to  all,  to  show  that 
Mary  is  given  as  a  Mother  to  us.” 

The  Church  applies  to  Mary  these  words  of  the 
sacred  Canticles:  I  am  the  Mother  of  fair  love;  and 
a  commentator,  explaining  them,  says  that  the 
Blessed  Virgin’s  love  makes  her  as  a  most  loving- 
mother  receive  us  as  her  children,  “  she  being  all 


Mary ,  our  Queen ,  our  Mother. 


27 


love  towards  those  whom  she  has  thus  adopted.’* 
0  blessed  are  they  who  live  under  the  protection 
of  so  loving  and  powerful  a  mother! 

0  most  loving  Mother!  0  most  compassionate 
Mother!  be  thou  ever  blessed;  and  ever  blessed  be 
God,  who  has  given  thee  to  us  for  our  Mother,  and 
for  a  secure  refuge  in  all  the  dangers  of  this  life. 
Our  blessed  Lady  herself,  in  a  vision,  addressed 
these  words  to  St.  Bridget:  “As  a  mother,  on  see¬ 
ing  her  son  in  the  midst  of  the  swords  of  his 
enemies,  would  use  every  effort  to  save  him,  so 
do  I,  and  will  do  for  all  sinners  who  seek  my 
mercy.”  Thus  it  is  that,  in  every  engagement 
with  the  infernal  powers,  we  shall  always  cer¬ 
tainly  conquer  by  having  recourse  to  the  Mother 
of  God,  who  is  also  our  Mother,  saying  and  re¬ 
peating  again  and  again:  “We  fly  to  thy  patron¬ 
age,  0  holy  Mother  of  God;  we  fly  to  thy  patron¬ 
age,  0  holy  Mother  of  God.” 

Be  of  good  heart,  then,  all  you  who  are  chil¬ 
dren  of  Mary.  Remember  that  she  accepts  as 
her  children  all  those  who  choose  to  be  so. 
“  Thus,”  savs  St.  Bonaventure,  “it  is  that  each  one 
who  loves  this  good  Mother,  and  relies  on  her 
protection,  should  animate  himself  to  confidence,, 
remembering  that  Jesus  is  our  Brother,  and  Mary 
our  Mother.”  The  same  thought  makes  St. 
Anselm  cry  out  with  joy,  and  encourage  us,  say- 


28 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


ing:  “  0  happ)r  confidence!  0  safe  refuge!  the 
Mother  of  God  is  my  Mother.  How  firm,  then, 
should  he  our  confidence,  since  our  salvation 
depends  on  the  judgment  of  a  good  Brother  and 
a  tender  Mother!  ”  It  is,  then,  our  Mother  who 
calls  us,  and  says,  in  these  words  of  the  Book  of 
Proverbs:  Fie  that  is  a  little  one ,  let  him  turn  to  me. 
(Prov.  ix.  4.)  Children  have  always  on  their  lips 
their  mothers  name,  and  in  every  fear,  in  every 
danger,  they  immediately  cry  out,  Mother, 
mother!  j_Ah,  most  sweet  Mary!  ah,  most  loving 
Mother!  this  is  precisely  what  thou  desirest:  that 
we  should  become  children,  and  call  on  thee  in 
every  danger,  and  at  all  times  have  recourse  to 
thee,  because  thou  desirest  to  help  and  save  us, 
as  thou  hast  saved  all  who  have  had  recourse  to 

Example. 

St.  Trenseus,  Archbishop  of  Lyons  and  martyr 
(t  202),  has  given  us  evidence  of  his  devotion  to 
Mary  in  his  scholarly  defences  of  the  Queen  of 
heaven  from  the  attacks  of  the  Jews  and  the  heretics 
of  his  day.  He  maintained  her  immaculate  con¬ 
ception  against  the  Jews,  and  refuted  the  teachings 
of  the  heretics  who  held  that  the  body  of  Christ  was 
not  derived  from  Mary.  But  he  was  not  satisfied 
only  to  extol  the  Blessed  Virgin,  for  his  writings 
abound  with  praise  and  reverence  for  her.  He 
shows  how  [the  obedience  of  Mary  offset  the  evil 
wrought  by*“the  disobedience  of  Eve,  and  thus  the 
human  race,  accursed  through  the  first  woman,  was 


Mary ,  our  Queen ,  our  Mother. 


29 


saved  through  the  Virgin  and  won  back  from  the 
powers  of  darkness  and  death  to  be  given  to  grace 
and  lifej 

And  what  this  great  saint  teaches,  and  wherein 
he  is  confirmed  by  the  Fathers  of  the  Church,  is  that 
the  Blessed  Virgin,  through  the  incomparable  vir¬ 
tues  whereby  she  was  made  worthy  to  be  the  Mother 
of  God,  stands  next  highest  to  her  divine  Son 
in  the  work  of  the  Redemption  of  mankind.  In- 
deed.jjour  Redemption  is  her  mission,  for  she  has  been 
divinely  appointed  to  intercede  for  us  at  the  throne 
of  gracej  It  is  this  amiable  and  beneficent  dis¬ 
tinction  of  Mary  that  the  Church  recalls  oftenest 
to  our  minds,  that  we  may  have  perfect  confidence 
in  this  most  blessed  Virgin,  and  that  we  may  be 
moved  to  implore  her  help  and  intercession  in  all 
our  trials  and  sorrows. 

Prayer. 

(O  most  holy  Mother  Mary,  how  is  it  possible  that 
I,  having  so  holy  a  mother,  should  be  so  wicked;  a 
mother  all  burning  with  the  love  of  God,  and  I  lov¬ 
ing  creatures ;  a  mother  so  rich  in  virtue,  and  I  so 
poor?  Ah,  amiable  Mother,  it  is  true  that  I  do  not 
deserve  any  longer  to  be  thy  son,  for  by  my  wicked 
life  I  have  rendered  myself  unworthy  of  so  great 
an  honor.  Thy  name  consoles  and  fills  me  with 
tenderness,  and  reminds  me  of  my  obligation  to  love 
thee.  Thy  name  excites  me  to  great  confidence  in 
thee.  When  my  sins  and  the  divine  justice  fill  me 
most  with  consternation,  I  am  all  consoled  at  the 
thought  that  thou  art  my  Mother.  Allow  me  then 
to  call  thee  Mother,  my  most  amiable  Mother.  Thus 
do  I  call  thee,  and  thus  will  I  always  call  thee. 
Thou,  after  God,  must  be  my  hope,  my  refuge,  my 
love  in  this  valley  of  tears.  Thus  do  I  hope  to  die, 
breathing  forth  my  soul  into  thy  holy  hands,  and 


30 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


saying’,  My  Mother,  my  Mother  Mary,  help  me,  have 
pity  on  me !  AmenTj 

III. 

The  Greatness  of  the  Love  which  this  Mother  hears  us. 

The  first  reason  for  the  great  love  that  Mary 
bears  to  men  is  the  great  love  that  she  bears  to 
God;  love  towards  God  and  love  towards  our 
neighbor  belong  to  the  same  commandment,  as 
expressed  by  St.  John:  This  commandment  we  have 

from  God ,  that  he  who  loveth  God,  love  also  his 

» 

brother;  so  that  as  the  one  becomes  greater  the 
other  also  increases.  What  have  not  the  saints 
done  for  their  neighbor  in  consequence  of  their 
love  towards  God!  Read  only  the  account  of  the 
labors  of  St.  Francis  Xavier  in  the  Indies,  where, 
in  order  to  aid  the  souls  of  these  poor  barbarians 
and  bring  them  to  God,  he  exposed  himself  to  a 
thousand  dangers,  clambering  amongst  the  moun¬ 
tains,  and  seeking  out  these  poor  creatures  in  the 
caves  in  which  they  dwelt  like  wild  beasts.  See 
a  St.  Francis  de  Sales,  who,  in  order  to  convert 
the  heretics  of  the  province  of  Chablais,  risked 
his  life  every  morning,  for  a  whole  year,  crawling 
on  his  hands  and  feet  over  a  frozen  beam,  in  order 
that  he  might  preach  to  them  on  the  opposite 
side  of  a  river;  a  St.  Paulinus,  who  delivered  him¬ 
self  up  as  a  slave,  in  order  that  he  might  obtain 


Mary ,  our  Queen ,  our  Mother.  31 

liberty  for  the  son  of  a  poor  widow;  a  St.  Fidelis, 
who,  in  order  to  draw  the  heretics  of  a  certain 
place  to  God,  persisted  in  going  to  preach  to 
them,  though  he  knew  it  would  cost  him  his  life. 
The  saints,  then,  because  they  loved  God  much, 
did  much  for  their  neighbor;  but  who  ever  loved 
God  as  much  as  Mary  loved  him?  She  loved 
him  more  in  the  first  moment  of  her  existence 
than  all  the  saints  and  angels  ever  loved  him, 
or  will  love  him;  but  this  we  shall  explain  at 
length  when  treating  of  her  virtues.  And  as 
amongst  all  the  blessed  spirits  there  is  not  one 
that  loves  God  more  than  Mary  loves  him,  so 
we  neither  have  nor  can  have  any  one  who, 
after  God,  loves  us  as  much  as  does  this  most 
loving  Mother;  and  if  we  concentrate  all  the 
love  that  mothers  bear  their  children,  husbands 
and  wives  one  another,  all  the  love  of  angels  and 
saints  for  their  clients,  it  does  not  equal  the  love 
of  Mary  towards  a  single  soul.  Moreover,  our 
Mother  loves  us  much  because  we  were  recom¬ 
mended  to  her  by  her  beloved  Jesus,  when  he  be¬ 
fore  expiring  said  to  her.  Woman,  behold  thy  son ! 
for  we  were  all  represented  in  the  person  of  St. 
John,  as  we  have  already  observed:  these  were  his 
last  words;  and  the  last  recommendations  left 
before  death  by  persons  we  love  are  always  treas¬ 
ured  and  never  forgotten. 


32  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

But  again,  we  are  exceedingly  dear  to  Mary  on 
account  of  the  sufferings  we  cost  her.  Mothers 
generally  love  most  those  children  the  preserva¬ 
tion  of  whose  lives  has  cost  them  the  most  suffer¬ 
ing  and  anxiety;  we  are  those  children  for  whom, 
in  order  to  obtain  for  us  the  life  of  grace,  Mary 
was  obliged  to  endure  the  bitter  agony  of  offering 
her  beloved  Jesus  to  die  an  ignominious  death, 
and  had  also  to  see  him  expire  before  her  eyes  in 
the  midst  of  the  most  cruel  and  unheard-of  tor¬ 
ments. 

It  was  then  by  this  great  offering  of  Mary  that 
we  were  born  to  the  life  of  grace;  we  are  there¬ 
fore  her  very  dear  children,  since  we  cost  her  so 
great  suffering.  And  thus,  as  it  is  written  of  the 
love  of  the  Eternal  Father  towards  men,  in  giv¬ 
ing  his  own  Son  to  death  for  us,  that  God  so  loved 
the  world  as  to  give  his  only-begotten  Son,  “  so 
also,”  says  St.  Bonaventure,  “  we  can  say  of  Mary, 
that  she  has  so  loved  us  as  to  give  her  only-begot¬ 
ten  Son  for  us."  Finally,  she  gave  him  to  us  a 
thousand  and  a  thousand  times,  during  the  three 
hours  preceding  his  death,  and  which  she  spent 
at  the  foot  of  the  cross;  for  during  the  whole  of 
that  time  she  unceasingly  offered,  with  the  ex¬ 
treme  of  sorrow  and  the  extreme  of  love,  the 
life  of  her  Son  in  our  behalf,  and  this  with  such 
constancy  that  St.  Anselm  and  St.  Antoninus 


Mary ,  our  Queen ,  our  Mother . 


33 


say  that  if  executioners  had  been  wanting  she 
herself  would  have  crucified  him,  in  order  to  obey 
the  Eternal  Father  who  willed  his  death  for  our 
salvation.  If  Abraham  had  such  fortitude  as  to 
be  ready  to  sacrifice  with  his  own  hands  the  life 
of  his  son,  with  far  greater  fortitude  would  Mary 
(far  more  holy  and  obedient  than  Abraham)  have 
sacrificed  the  life  of  hers.  But  let  us  return  to 
the  consideration  of  the  gratitude  we  ow-e  to 
Mary  for  so  great  an  act  of  love  as  was  the  pain¬ 
ful  sacrifice  of  the  life  of  her  Son,  which  she 
made  to  obtain  eternal  salvation  for  us  all.  God 
abundantly  rewarded  Abraham  for  the  sacrifice 
he  was  prepared  to  make  of  his  son  Isaac;  hut  we, 
what  return  can  we  make  to  Mary  for  the  life  of 
her  Jesus,  a  Son  far  more  noble  and  beloved  than 
the  son  of  Abraham?  “  This  love  of  Mary,”  says 
St.  Bonaventure,  “  has  indeed  obliged  us  to  love 
her;  for  we  see  that  she  has  surpassed  all  others 
in  love  towards  us,  since  she  has  given  her  only 
Son,  whom  she  loved  more  than  herself,  for  us.” 
From  this  arises  another  motive  for  the  love  of 
Mary  towards  us;  for  in  us  she  beholds  that  which 
has  been  purchased  at  the  price  of  the  death  of 
Jesus  Christ.  If  a  mother  knew  that  a  servant 
had  been  ransomed  by  a  beloved  son  at  the  price 
of  twenty  years  of  imprisonment  and  suffering, 
how  greatly  would  she  esteem  that  servant  on  this 


34  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

account  alone!  And  how  much  more  must  we 
suppose  that  she  loves  us,  now  that  she  has  seen 
that  we  are  valued  to  such  a  degree  by  her  Son 
that  he  did  not  disdain  to  purchase  us  at  such  a 
cost! 

Because  all  men  have  been  redeemed  by  J esus, 
therefore  Mary  loves  and  protects  them  all.  It 
was  she  who  was  seen  by  St.  John  in  the  Apoca¬ 
lypse,  clothed  with  the  sun:  And  a  great  sign 
appeared  in  heaven:  a  woman  clothed  with  the  sun. 
And,  as  no  one  on  earth  can  he  hidden  from  the 
heat  of  the  sun,  so  there  is  no  one  living  who  can 
be  deprived  of  the  love  of  Mary.  “And  who,” 
exclaims  St.  Antoninus,  “  can  ever  form  an  idea 
of  the  tender  care  that  this  most  loving  Mother 
takes  of  all  of  us,  offering  and  dispensing  her 
mercy  to  every  one;  ”  for  our  good  Mother  desired 
the  salvation  of  all,  and  cooperated  in  obtaining 
it.  “  It  is  evident,”  says  St.  Bernard,  “  that  she 
was  solicitous  for  the  whole  human  race.”  The 
devout  Bernardine  de  Bustis  says  that  Mary 
“  loves  to  do  us  good,  and  dispense  graces  to  us 
far  more  than  we  to  receive  them.”  “  The  love 
that  this  good  Mother  bears  to  us  is  so  great,” 
says  Richard  of  St.  Laurence,  “  that  as  soon  as 
she  perceives  our  want  she  comes  to  our  assist¬ 
ance.  She  comes  before  she  is  called." 

0,  how  much  does  the  love  of  this  good  Mother 


Mary ,  our  Queen,  our  Mother.  35 

exceed  that  of  all  her  children!  Let  them  love 
her  as  much  as  they  will,  Mary  is  always  amongst 
lovers  the  most  loving,  says  St.  Ignatius  the 
Martyr. 

Let  them  love  her  as  did  St.  Stanislaus  Kostka, 
who  loved  this  dear  Mother  so  tenderly  that  in 
speaking  of  her  he  moved  all  who  heard  him  to 
love  her.  He  had  made  new  words  and  new  titles 
with  which  to  honor  her  name.  He  never  did 
anything  without  first  turning  to  her  image  to 
ask  her  blessing.  When  he  said  her  Office,  the 
Rosary,  or  other  prayers,  he  did  so  with  the  same 
external  marks  of  affection  as  he  would  have  done 
had  he  been  speaking  face  to  face  with  Mary. 
Let  them  love  her  as  did  the  Venerable  John 
Berchmans  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  who  said: 
“  Blessed  is  he  who  loves  thee!  If  I  love  Mary,  I 
am  certain  of  perseverance,  and  shall  obtain 
whatever  I  wish  from  God.”  Let  us  love  her  as 
did  Blessed  Herman,  who  called  her  the  spouse  of 
his  love.  Let  us  love  her  as  did  St.  Philip  Neri, 
who  was  filled  with  consolation  at  the  mere 
thought  of  Mary,  and  therefore  called  her  his 
delight.  Let  us  love  her  as  did  St.  Bonaventure, 
who  called  her  not  only  his  Lady  and  Mother,  but 
his  heart  and  soul.  Let  us  love  her  like  that 
great  lover  of  Mary,  St.  Bernard,  who  loved  this 
his  sweet  Mother  so  much  that  he  called  her  the 


36  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

ravisher  of  hearts.  Let  us  call  her  beloved,  like 
St.  Bernardine  of  Sienna,  who  daily  went  to  visit 
a  devotional  picture  of  Mary,  and  there,  in  tender 
colloquies  with  his  Queen,  declared  his  love.  Let 
us  love  her  as  did  St.  Aloysius  Gonzaga,  whose 
love  for  Mary  burnt  so  unceasingly  that  when¬ 
ever  he  heard  the  sweet  name  of  his  Mother  men¬ 
tioned  his  countenance  lighted  up  with  a  fire  that 
was  visible  to  all.  Let  us  love  her  as  much  as  St. 
Francis  Solano  did,  who,  filled  with  love  for  Mary, 
would  sing  before  her  picture,  and  accompany 
himself  on  a  musical  instrument.  Finally,  let  us 
love  her  as  so  many  of  her  servants  have  loved 
her,  who  never  could  do  enough  to  show  their 
love.  Father  John  of  Trexo,  of  the  Society  of 
Jesus,  rejoiced  in  the  name  of  Slave  of  Mary;  and 
as  a  mark  of  servitude,  went  often  to  visit  her  in 
some  church  dedicated  in  her  honor.  On  reach¬ 
ing  the  church  he  poured  out  abundant  tears  of 
tenderness  and  love  for  Mary.  Fattier  James 
Martinez,  of  the  same  Society,  used  to  say, 
“  Would  that  I  had  the  hearts  of  all  angels  and 
saints,  to  love  Mary  as  they  love  her — would  that 
I  had  the  lives  of  all  men,  to  give  them  all  for  her 
love!  ”  Let  us  love  her  as  did  those  who  even  cut 
the  beloved  name  of  Mary  on  their  breasts  with 
sharp  instruments,  as  did  Francis  Binanzio  and 
Radagundis,  wife  of  King  Clothaire,  or  as  did 


Mary ,  our  Queen ,  our  Mother. 


37 


those  who  could  imprint  this  loved  name  on  their 
flesh  with  hot  irons,  in  order  that  it  might  remain 
more  distinct  and  lasting;  as  did  her  devout  ser¬ 
vants  Baptist  Archinto  and  Augustine  d’Espinosa, 
both  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  impelled  thereto  by 
the  vehemence  of  their  love. 

Let  us,  in  fine,  do  or  desire  to  do  all  that  is 
possible  for  a  lover  to  do  who  intends  to  make 
his  affection  known  to  the  person  loved.  For  he 
assured  that  the  lovers  of  Mar}r  will  never  be  able 

N 

to  equal  her  in  love. 

Example. 

The  beatification  of  Father  Paul  Francis  Liber- 
mann,  the  founder  of  the  “  Missionaries  of  the 
Sacred  Heart  of  Mary  ”  for  the  conversion  of  the  ne¬ 
groes,  who  died  a  holy  death  on  the  Feast  of  the 
Purification,  1853,  is  at  present  being  considered. 
This  holy  religious,  who  before  his  conversion  was  a 
rationalistic  Jew  and  a  candidate  for  the  office  of 
rabbi  among  his  people  in  Zabern,  Alsace,  was  bap¬ 
tized  in  1820.  He  became  an  epileptic,  and  this  un¬ 
happy  disease  closed  the  way  to  the  priesthood  to 
him.  Then  Libermann  implored  the  help  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin,  and  made  a  pilgrimage  to  Our  Lady 
of  Loretto.  He  made  it  on  foot,  in  the  garb  of  a 
beggar,  covered  by  a  ragged  cloak,  and  he  ex¬ 
perienced  all  the  humiliations  of  poverty.  But  he 
found  what  he  sought ;  the  light  of  divine  guidance 
was  vouchsafed  him,  and  his  sickness  disappeared 
even  as  did  that  of  Pius  IX.,  who  also  regained  his 
health  at  Loretto.  Father  Libermann  was  ordained 
in  1841. 


38 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


Prayer . 

0  Lady,  O  ravisher  of  hearts !  I  will  exclaim 
with  St.  Bernard :  “  Lady,  who  with  the  love 
and  favor  thou  showest  thy  servants  dost  ravish 
their  hearts,  ravish  also  my  mispabie  heart,  which 
desires  ardently  to  love  thee.’''  [Thou,  my  Mother, 
hast  enamored  a  God  with  thy  beauty,  and  drawn 
him  from  heaven  into  thy  ctiaste  womb;  and  shall 
I  live  without  loving  theefj  No,  I  will  say  to 
thee  with  one  of  thy  most  loving  sons,  John  Berch- 
mans  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  I  will  never  rest  until 
I  am  certain  of  having  obtained  thy  love.  I  would 
that  I  had  a  heart  to  love  thee  in  place  of  all  those 
unfortunate  creatures  who  love  thee  not.  /I  would 
that  I  could  speak  with  a  thousand  tongues,  that 
all  might  know  thy  greatness,  thy  holiness,  thy 
mercy,  and  the  love  with  which  thou  lovest  all  who 
love  thee.  Had  I  riches,  I  would  employ  them  all 
for  thy  honor.  Had  I  subjects,  I  would  make  them 
all  thy  lovers.  If  the  occasion  presented  itself  I 
would  lay  down  my  life  for  thy  glory.  Make  me  thy 
worthy  child.  This  is  my  hope.  I 


IV. 

Mary,  our  Queen,  our  Mother. 

Although,  as  St.  Bernard  tells  us,  prayer  in  the 
mouth  of  a  sinner  is  devoid  of  beauty,  as  it  is. 

V 

unaccompanied  by  charity,  nevertheless  it  is 
useful  and  obtains  grace  to  abandon  sin;  for,  as 
St.  Thomas  teaches,  the  prayer  of  a  sinner, 
though  without  merit,  is  an  act  which  obtains  the 


Mary ,  our  Queen,  our  Mother . 


39 


grace  of  forgiveness,  since  the  power  of  impetra- 
tion  is  founded  not  on  the  merits  of  him  who 
asks,  but  on  the  divine  goodness,  and  the  merits 
and  promises  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  has  said,  Every 
one  that  asketh  receiveth.  (Luke  xi.  10.)  The 
same  thing  must  be  said  of  prayers  offered  to  the 
divine  Mother.  “  If  he  who  prays/'  says  St.  An¬ 
selm,  “  does  not  merit  to  he  heard,  the  merits  of 
the  Mother,  to  whom  he  recommends  himself,  will 
intercede  effectually/’ 

Therefore  St.  Bernard  exhorts  all  sinners  to 
have  recourse  to  Mary,  invoking  her  with  great 
confidence;  for  though  the  sinner  does  not  him¬ 
self  merit  the  graces  which  he  asks,  yet  he  re¬ 
ceives  them,  because  this  Blessed  Virgin  asks  and 
obtains  them  from  God,  on  account  of  her  own 
merits.  These  are  his  words,  addressing  a  sinner: 
“  Because  thou  wast  unworthy  to  receive  the 
grace  thyself,  it  was  given  to  Mary,  in  order  that, 
through  her,  thou  mightest  receive  all.  If  a 
mother,”  continues  the  same  saint,  “knew  that 
her  two  sons  bore  a  mortal  enmity  to  each  other, 
and  that  each  plotted  against  the  other’s  life, 
would  she  not  exert  herself  to  her  utmost  in  order 
to  reconcile  them?  This  would  he  the  duty  of  a 
good  mother.  And  thus  it  is,”  the  saint  goes  on 
to  say,  “that  Mary  acts;  for  she  is  the  Mother  of 
Jesus,  and  the  Mother  of  men.  When  she  sees 


40  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

a  sinner  at  enmity  with  Jesus  Christ,  she  cannot 
endure  it,  and  does  all  in  her  power  to  make  peace 
between  them.  Does  not  St.  Ephrem  call  Mary 
4  the  Refuge  of  sinners  '?  St.  John  of  Damas¬ 
cus  says  she  has  been  divinely  appointed  to  be 
the  refuge  of  all  whose  evil  deeds  are  so  great 
that  they  have  merited  death.  She  is  the  mother 
of  sinners  who  wish  to  repent.  This  most 
benign  Lady  only  requires  that  the  sinner  should 
recommend  himself  to  her,  and  purpose  amend¬ 
ment.  When  Marv  sees  a  sinner  at  her  feet,  im- 
ploring  her  mercy,  she  does  not  consider  the 
crimes  with  which  he  is  loaded,  hut  the  intention 
with  which  he  comes;  and  if  this  is  good,  even 
should  he  have  committed  all  possible  sins,  this 
most  loving  Mother  embraces  him,  and  does  not 
disdain  to  heal  the  wounds  of  his  soul;  for  she  is 
not  only  called  the  Mother  of  mercy,  but  is  so 
truly  and  indeed,  and  shows  herself  such  by  the 
love  and  tenderness  with  which  she  assists  us  all. 
And  this  is  precisely  what  the  Blessed  Virgin  her¬ 
self  said  to  St.  Bridget:  “  However  much  a  man 
sins,  I  am  ready  immediately  to  receive  him  when 
he  repents;  nor  do  I  pay  attention  to  the  number 
of  his  sins,  but  only  to  the  intention  with  which 
he  comes:  I  do  not  disdain  to  anoint  and  heal  his 
wounds;  for  I  am  called,  and  truly  am,  the 
Mother  of  mercy.”  “And  who  can  ever  tell,”  says 


Mary ,  our  Queen,  our  Mother. 


41 


the  devout  Ludovicus  Blosius,  “  the  goodness,  the 
mercy,  the  compassion,  the  love,  the  benignity, 
the  clemency,  the  fidelity,  the  benevolence,  the 
charity,  of  this  Virgin  Mother  towards  men?  It 
is  such  that  no  words  can  express  it.” 

“  Let  us,  then,”  says  St.  Bernard,  “  cast  our¬ 
selves  at  the  feet  of  this  good  Mother,  and 
embracing  them,  let  us  not  depart  until  she 
blesses  us,  and  thus  accepts  us  for  her  children.” 
Would  that  all  sinners  had  recourse  to  this  sweet 
mother!  for  then  certainly  all  would  be  pardoned 
by  God. 


Example. 

The  holy  St.  Leonard  of  Port  Maurice,  who 
died  in  1751  after  preaching  326  missions,  preached 
with  particular  fervor  and  eloquence  when  his  ser¬ 
mon  was  on  the  Blessed  Virgin.  “  When  I  reflect,” 
he  said  once,  “  on  all  the  graces  and  benefits  which 
I  have  received  from  the  Blessed  Virgin — and  for 
the  glory  due  my  high  Protectress  I  must  testify  to 
them  here — I  feel  as  though  I  were  in  one  of  those 
churches  in  which  there  is  a  miraculous  picture  of 
the  holy  Mother  and  where  the  walls  are  hung  with 
memorial  tablets  for  graces  granted  by  Mary.  The 
holy  office  which  I  hold,  the  habit  I  wear,  all  these 
I  owe  to  Mary.  I  have  not  a  single  good  thought, 
not  one  right  exercise  of  my  will,  not  a  pure  im¬ 
pulse  of  my  heart,  but  comes  through  her  grace.  Be 
thou,”  he  continued,  “  forever  praised,  my  Gracious 
Benefactress.  When  I  am  saved  at  last  it  will  be 
through  thy  mercy,  which  I  hope  to  praise  through 
all  eternity.  I  would  die  that  I  might  live  with 


42  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Eegina. 

Mary.  Oh,  my  beloved  people,  it  is  not  an  empty 
word,  it  is  my  dearest  wish — I  desire  to  die  that  I 
may  live  with  Mary.  Ah,  my  dear  Mother,  look 
upon  thy  poor  child,  longing  to  come  to  thee !  And 
you,  beloved,  say  a  quiet  Hail  Mary  for  me.  Oh, 
that  you  might  wdn  this  grace  for  me,  that  I  might 
leave  this  pulpit  to  dwell  with  the  Blessed  Virgin. 
Amen.”  Thus  one  saint  preached  of  Our  Lady. 

Prayer. 

O  my  sovereign  Queen  and  worthy  Mother  of  my 
God,  most  holy  Mary;  I,  seeing  myself,  as  I  do,  so 
despicable  and  loaded  with  so  many  sins,  ought  not 
to  presume  to  call  thee  Mother,  or  even  to  approach 
thee;  yet  I  will  not  allow  my  miseries  to  deprive 
me  of  the  consolation  and  confidence  that  I  feel  in 
calling  thee  Mother;  I  know  well  that  I  deserve  that 
thou  shouldst  reject  me;  but  I  beseech  thee  to  re¬ 
member  all  that  thy  Son  Jesus  has  endured  for  me, 
and  then  reject  me  if  thou  canst.  To  thee  have  I 
recourse;  thou  canst  help  me;  my  Mother,  help  me. 
Say  not  that  thou  canst  not  do  so;  for  I  know  that 
thou  art  all-powerful,  and  that  thou  obtainest  what¬ 
ever  thou  desirest  of  God.  Thou,  O  Jesus,  art  my 
Bather,  and  thou,  Mary,  art  my  Mother.  You  both 
love  the  most  miserable,  and  go  seeking  them  in 
order  to  save  them.  I  deserve  hell,  and  am  the  most 
miserable  of  all.  But  you  need  not  seek  me,  nor 
do  I  presume  to  ask  so  much.  I  now  present  my¬ 
self  before  you  with  a  certain  hope  that  I  shall  not 
be  abandoned.  Behold  me  at  your  feet;  my  Jesus, 
forgive  me;  my  Mother  Mary,  help  me. 


CHAPTER  II. 


Vita,  Dulcedo. 

OUR  LIFE,  OUR  SWEETNESS. 

Mary,  our  Life,  our  Sweetness. 

I. 

Mary  is  our  Life,  because  she  obtains  for  us  the  Pardon 

of  our  Sins. 

To  understand  why  the  holy  Church  makes  us 
call  Mary  our  life,  we  must  know  that  as  the  soul 
gives  life  to  the  body  so  does  divine  grace  give 
life  to  the  soul;  for  a  soul  without  grace  has  the 
name  of  being  alive,  but  is  in  truth  dead,  as  it  was 
said  of  one  in  the  Apocalypse,  Thou  hast  the  name 
of  being  alive,  and  thou  art  dead.  Mary,  then,  in 
obtaining  this  grace  for  sinners  by  her  interces¬ 
sion,  thus  restores  them  to  life.  So  that  to  have 
recourse  to  Mary  is  the  same  thing  as  to  find  the 
grace  of  God.  The  Church  applies  to  her  the 
following  words:  He  that  shall  find  me  shall  find 
life,  and  shall  have  salvation  from  the  Lord. 
“  Listen/’  exclaims  St.  Bonaventure  on  these 
words,  “  listen,  all  you  who  desire  the  kingdom 

43 


44  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

of  God:  honor  the  most  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  and 
you  will  find  life  and  eternal  salvation/7 

St.  Bernardine  of  Sienna  §ays  that  if  God  did 
not  destroy  man  after  his  first  sin,  it  was  on 
account  of  his  singular  love  for  this  holy  Virgin, 
who  was  destined  to  he  born  of  this  race.  Hence 
St.  Bernard  was  right  in  exhorting  us  “  to  seek 
for  grace,  and  to  seek  it  by  Mary; 77  meaning  that 
if  we  have  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  the  grace  of 
God,  we  should  seek  to  recover  it,  hut  we  should 
do  so  through  Mary;  for  though  we  may  have 
lost  it,  she  has  found  it;  and  hence  the  saint  calls 
her  “  the  finder  of  grace.77  The  angel  Gabriel 
expressly  declared  this  for  our  consolation  when 
he  saluted  the  Blessed  Virgin,  saying,  Fear  not, 
Mary ,  thou  hast  found  grace.  (Luke  i.  30.)  But 
if  Mary  had  never  been  deprived  of  grace,  how 
could  the  archangel  say  that  she  had  then  found 
it?  A  thing  may  he  found  by  a  person  who  did 
not  previously  possess  it;  hut  we  are  told  by  the 
same  archangel  that  the  Blessed  Virgin  was 
always  with  God,  always  in  grace,  nay,  full  of 
grace.  Hail,  full  of  grace,  the  Lord  is  with  thee. 
Since  Mary,  then,  did  not  find  grace  for  herself, 
she  being  always  full  of  it,  for  whom  did  she  find 
it?  Cardinal  Hugo,  in  his  commentary  on  the 
above  text,  replies  that  she  found  it  for  sinners 
who  had  lost  it.  “  Let  sinners,  then,77  says  this 


Mary ,  our  Life ,  our  Sweetness. 


45 


devout  writer,  “  who  by  their  crimes  have  lost 
grace,  address  themselves  to  the  Blessed  Virgin, 
for  with  her  they  will  surely  find  it;  let  them 
humbly  salute  her,  and  say  with  confidence, 
6  Lady,  that  which  has  been  found  must  be  re¬ 
stored  to  him  who  has  lost  it;  restore  us,  there¬ 
fore,  our  property  which  thou  hast  found/  ” 

On  this  subject  Richard  of  St.  Laurence  con¬ 
cludes  “  that  if  we  hope  to  recover  the'  grace  of 
God,  we  must  go  to  Mary,  who  has  found  it,  and 
finds  it  always.”  And  as  she  always  was  and 
always  will  be  dear  to  God,  if  we  have  recourse 
to  her  we  shall  certainly  succeed.  St.  Bernard 
encourages  sinners,  saying,  “  Go  to  this  Mother 
of  mercy,  and  show  her  the  wounds  which  thy 
sins  have  left  on  thy  soul;  then  will  she  certainly 
entreat  her  Son,  by  the  breasts  that  gave  him 
suck,  to  pardon  ye  all.  And  this  divine  Son, 
who  loves  her  so  tenderly,  will  most  certainly 
grant  her  petition.”  In  this  sense  it  is  that  the 
holy  Church,  in  her  almost  daily  prayer,  calls 
upon  us  to  beg  Our  Lord  to  grant  us  the  powerful 
help  of  the  intercession  of  Mary  to  rise  from  our 
sins:  “  Grant  Thy  help  to  our  weakness,  0  most 
merciful  God;  and  that  we,  who  are  mindful  of 
the  holy  Mother  of  God,  may  by  the  help  of  her 
intercession  rise  from  our  iniquities.” .  With  rea¬ 
son  does  St.  Bernard  call  her  “  the  sinners’  lad- 


46 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


der;  ”  since  she,  the  most  compassionate  Queen, 
extending  her  hand  to  them,  draws  them  from  an 
abyss  of  sin,  and  enables  them  to  ascend  to  God. 
With  reason  does  St.  Augustine  call  her  “  the 
only  hope  of  sinners;  ”  for  by  her  help  alone  can 
we  hope  for  the  remission  of  our  sins. 

St.  John  Chrysostom  also  says  “  that  sinners 
receive  pardon  by  the  intercession  of  Mary  alone.” 
And  therefore  the  saint,  in  the  name  of  all  sin¬ 
ners,  thus  addresses  her:  “  Hail,  Mother  of  God 
and  of  us  all,  ‘  heaven/  where  God  dwells, 

‘  throne/  from  which  Our  Lord  dispenses  all  grace, 

‘  fair  daughter,  Virgin,  honor,  glory,  and  firma¬ 
ment  of  our  Church/  assiduously  pray  to  Jesus 
that  in  the  day  of  judgment  we  may  find  mercy 
through  thee,  and  receive  the  reward  prepared  by 
God  for  those  who  love  him.”  Therefore  St. 
Germanus  says,  “  0  Mother  of  God,  thy  protec¬ 
tion  never  ceases,  thy  intercession  is  life,  and  thy 
patronage  never  fails.”  “  Distrust  not,  0  sin¬ 
ner,”  says  the  devout  Bernardine  de  Bustis, 
“  even  if  thou  hast  committed  all  possible  sins: 
go  with  confidence  to  this  most  glorious  Lady, 
and  thou  wilt  find  her  hands  filled  with  mercy 
and  bounty.”  And  he  adds,  “  for  she  desires 
more  to  do  thee  good  than  thou  canst  desire  to 
receive  favors  from  her.” 

St.  Andrew  of  Crete  calls  Mary  the  pledge  of 


Mary ,  our  Life ,  our  Sweetness.  47 

divine  mercy;  meaning  that,  when  sinners  have 
recourse  to  Mary  that  they  may  be  reconciled 
with  God,  he  assures  them  of  pardon  and  gives 
them  a  pledge  of  it;  and  this  pledge  is  Mary, 
whom  he  has  bestowed  upon  us  for  our  advocate, 
and  by  whose  intercession,  by  virtue  of  the  merits 
of  Jesus  Christ,  God  forgives  all  who  have  re¬ 
course  to  her. 

No  sinner  having  recourse  to  the  compassion 
of  Mary  should  fear  being  rejected;  for  she  is 
the  Mother  of  mercy,  and  as  such  desires  to  save 
the  most  miserable.  Mary  is  that  happy  ark,  says 
St.  Bernard,  “  in  which  those  who  take  refuge 
will  never  suffer  the  shipwreck  of  eternal  perdi¬ 
tion.”  Let  us,  then,  enter  this  ark,  let  us  take 
refuge  under  the  mantle  of  Mary,  and  she  most 
certainly  will  not  reject  us,  but  will  secure  our 
salvation. 


Example. 

Once  a  great  multitude  of  people  were  hurrying 
to  the  church  on  Mount  Calvary  to  venerate  the  holy 
cross  on  which  Our  Redeemer  died.  Urged  by 
curiosity,  Mary  of  Egypt,  another  Magdalen,  joined 
the  throngs.  But  at  the  door  of  the  church  an  in¬ 
visible  hand  seemed  to  hold  her  back.  Her  heart 
jumped;  but  she  took  the  impression  to  be  a  mere 
freak  of  her  imagination  and  tried  once  more,  to  be 
pushed  back  again.  The  startled  woman  sum¬ 
moned  all  her  courage  and  tried  once  more  to  force 
her  way  into  the  Sacred  Presence  within.  This 


w 


48  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina.  - 

time  the  force  of  the  blow  and  her  fright  made  her 
fall  to  the  earth.  Pale  and  shaken  in  every  fibre 
she  lay  in  the  dust.  Plorror  of  herself  and  her  life 
came  upon  her;  and  she  raised  her  eyes  helplessly  to 
heaven.  Thus  looking-  up  she  saw  a  statue  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  which  ornamented  the  exterior  of 
the  church.  At  once  she  rose  to  her  knees  and  began 
to  implore  the  intercession  of  Mary :  “  Mary,  thou 
Befuge  of  sinners,  be  thou  my  hope,  since  thy  Son 
has  cast  me  out.  Pray  for  me  and  he  will  no 
longer  refuse  me  but  will  receive  me  in  pity.  To 
whom  can  I  turn  if  not  to  thee,  thou  Mother  of 
mercy  ?  ” 

Tears  of  contrition  streamed  from  her  eyes,  and 
she  rose  to  try  once  more  to  enter  the  church. 
Nothing  hindered  her  now  that  she  had  obtained  the 
intercession  of  the  Mother  of  God,  the  means  of 
spiritual  life. 

She,  who  had  not  been  permitted  even  to  enter 
into  a  temple  of  stone,  through  the  grace  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  became  herself  a  temple  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  She  who  had  been  one  of  the  greatest  of 
sinners  became  a  model  of  true  penance  and  at  last 
a  saint.  At  present  there  is  a  chapel  in  honor  of  St. 
Mary  of  Egypt,  near  that  same  church  to  which  she 
was  once  denied  entrance. 

Prayer. 

Behold,  O  Mother  of  my  God,  my  only  hope,  Mary, 
behold  at  thy  feet  a  miserable  sinner,  who  asks  thee 
for  mercy.  Thou  art  proclaimed  and  called  by  the 
whole  Church,  and  by  all  the  faithful,  the  Befuge  of 
sinners.  Thou  art  consequently  my  refuge;  thou 
hast  to  save  me.  I  will  say  with  William  of  Paris, 
Thou  knowest,  most  sweet  Mother  of .  God,  how 
much  thy  blessed  Son  desires  our  salvation.  Thou 
knowest  all  that  Jesus  Christ  endured  for  this  end. 


Mary ,  our  Life ,  our  Sweetness. 


49 


I  present  thee,  O  my  Mother,  the  sufferings  of 
Jesus:  the  cold  that  he  endured  in  the  stable,  his 
journey  into  Egypt,  his  toils,  his  sweat,  the  blood 
that  he  shed;  the  anguish  which  caused  his  death 
on  the  cross,  and  of  which  thou  wast  thyself  a  wit¬ 
ness.  O,  show  that  thou  lovest  thy  beloved  Son,  and 
by  this  love  I  implore  thee  to  assist  me.  Extend 
thy  hand  to  a  poor  creature  who  has  fallen  and  asks 
thy  help.  Jesus  wills  that  I  should  have  recourse 
to  thee,  in  order  not  only  that  his  blood  may  save 
me,  but  also  that  thy  prayers  may  assist  me  in  this 
great  work;  for  thy  glory,  and  for  his  own,  since 
thou  art  his  Mother.  He  sends  me  to  thee,  that 
thou  mayest  help  me.  O  Mary,  see,  I  have  recourse 
to  thee;  in  thee  do  I  confide.  Thou  prayest  for  so 
many  others,  pray  also  for  me;  say  only  a  word. 
Tell  Our  Lord  that  thou  wiliest  my  salvation,  and 
God  will  certainly  save  me.  Say  that  I  am  thine, 
and  then  I  have  obtained  all  that  I  ask,  all  that  I 
desire. 


II. 


Mary  is  also  our  Life,  because  she  obtains  for  us 

Perseverance. 

Final  perseverance  is  so  great  a  gift  of  God 
that,  as  it  was  declared  by  the  holy  Council  of 
Trent,  it  is  quite  gratuitous  on  his  part,  and  we 
cannot  merit  it.  Yet  we  are  told  by  St.  Augus¬ 
tine  that  all  who  seek  for  it  obtain  it  from  God. 
Now,  if  it  is  true  that  all  the  graces  that  God  dis¬ 
penses  to  men  pass  through  the  hands  of  Mary,  it 
will  be  equally  true  that  it  is  only  through  Mary 


50  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

that  we  can  hope  for  this  greatest  of  all  graces — 
perseverance.  And  we  shall  obtain  it  most  cer¬ 
tainly,  if  we  always  seek  it  with  confidence 
through  Mary.  In  order  that  we  may  be  pre¬ 
served  in  the  life  of  grace,  we  require  spiritual 
fortitude  to  resist  the  many  enemies  of  our  salva¬ 
tion.  Now  this  fortitude  can  be  obtained  by  the 
means  of  Mary.  Mary  is  that  tower  spoken  of  in 
the  sacred  Canticles:  Thy  neck  is  as  the  tower  of 
David ,  which  is  built  with  bulwarks;  a  thousand 
bucklers  hang  upon  it,  all  the  armor  of  valiaiit  men. 
She  is  as  a  well-defended  fortress  in  defence  of 
her  lovers,  who  in  their  wars  have  recourse  to  her. 
In  her  do  her  clients  find  all  shields  and  arms,  to 
defend  themselves  against  hell.  Truly  are  those 
souls  to  be  pitied  who  abandon  this  defence,  in 
ceasing  their  devotion  to  Mary,  and  no  longer 
recommending  themselves  to  her  in  the  time  of 
danger.  “  If  the  sun  ceased  to  rise,”  says  St.  Ber¬ 
nard,  “  how  could  the  world  become  other  than  a 
chaos  of  darkness  and  horror?  ”  When  a  soul 
loses  devotion  to  Mary,  it  is  immediately  envel¬ 
oped  in  darkness,  and  in  that  darkness  of  which 
the  Holy  Ghost  speaks  in  the  Psalms:  Thou  hast 
appointed  darkness,  and  it  is  night;  in  it  shall  all 
the  beasts  of  the  woods  go  about. 

St.  Francis  Borgia  always  doubted  the  perse¬ 
verance  of  those  in  whom  he  did  not  find  particu- 


Mary ,  our  Life ,  our  Sweetness.  51 

lar  devotion  to  the  Blessed  Virgin.  On  one 
occasion  he  questioned  some  novices  as  to  the 
saints  towards  whom  they  had  special  devotion, 
and  perceiving  some  who  had  it  not  towards 
Mary,  he  instantly  warned  the  master  of  novices, 
and  desired  him  to  keep  a  more  attentive  watch 
over  these  unfortunate  young  men,  who  all,  as  he 
had  feared,  lost  their  vocation  and  renounced  the 
religious  state.  It  was,  then,  not  without  reason 
that  St.  Germanus  called  the  most  blessed  Virgin 
the  breath  of  Christians;  for  as  the  body  cannot 
live  without  breathing,  so  the  soul  cannot  live 
without  having  recourse  to  and  recommending 
itself  to  Mary,  by  whose  means  we  certainly 
acquire  and  preserve  the  life  of  divine  grace 
within  our  souls. 

On  the  other  hand,  Mary  says  in  the  following 
words  of  the  Book  of  Proverbs,  which  are  applied 
to  her  by  the  Church:  Blessed  is  the  man  that  hear- 
eih  me,  and  that  watcheth  daily  at  my  gates,  and 
waiteth  at  the  posts  of  my  doors — as  if  she  would 
say,  Blessed  is  he  that  hears  my  voice  and  is  con¬ 
stantly  attentive  to  apply  at  the  door  of  my 
mercy,  and  seeks  light  and  help  from  me.  For 
clients  who  do  this,  Mary  does  her  part,  and  ob¬ 
tains  them  the  light  and  strength  they  require 
to  abandon  sin  and  walk  in  the  paths  of  virtue. 
For  this  reason  Innocent  III.  beautifully  calls 


52  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

her  “  the  moon  at  night,  the  dawn  at  break  of 
day,  and  the  sun  at  midday.”  In  the  Book  of 
Proverbs  we  are  told  that  all  Mary's  clients  are 
clothed  with  double  garments.  For  all  her  domes¬ 
tics  are  clothed  with  double  garments.  Cornelius  a 
Lapide  explains  what  this  double  clothing  is;  he 
says  that  it  “  consists  in  her  adorning  her  faith¬ 
ful  servants  with  the  virtues  of  her  Son  and  with 
her  own;”  and  thus  clothed  they  persevere  in 
virtue.  Therefore  St.  Philip  Neri,  in  his  exhor¬ 
tations  to  his  penitents,  used  always  to  say:  u  My 
children,  if  you  desire  perseverance,  be  devout  to 
our  blessed  Lady.”  The  Venerable  John  Berch- 
mans  of  the  Society  of  Jesus  used  also  to  say: 
“  Whoever  loves  Mary  will  have  perseverance.” 

0,  did  all  men  but  love  this  most  benign  and 
loving  Lady,  had  they  but  recourse  to  her  always, 
and  without  delay,  in  their  temptations,  who 
would  fall?  who  would  ever  be  lost?  He  falls 
and  is  lost  who  has  not  recourse  to  Mary.  “  We,” 
says  St.  Thomas  of  Villanova,  “  need  only,  when 
tempted  by  the  devil,  imitate  little  chickens, 
which,  as  soon  as  they  perceive  the  approach  of 
a  bird  of  prey,  run  under  the  wings  of  their 
mother  for  protection.”  Let  us  then  conclude  in 
the  words  of  St.  Bernard:  “  0  man,  whoever  thou 
art,  understand  that  in  this  world  thou  art  tossed 
about  on  a  stormy  and  tempestuous  sea,  rather 


Mary ,  our  Life ,  our  Sweetness. 


53 


than  walking  on  solid  ground;  remember  that  if 
thou  wouldst  avoid  being  drowned,  thou  must 
never  turn  thine  eyes  from  the  brightness  of  this 
star,  but  keep  them  fixed  on  it,  and  call  on  Mary. 
In  dangers,  in  straits,  in  doubts,  remember  Mary, 
invoke  Mary.  Yes,  in  dangers  of  sinning,  when 
molested  by  temptations,  when  doubtful  as  to 
how  you  should  act,  remember  that  Mary  can 
help  you;  and  call  upon  her,  ahd  she  will  instantly 
succor  you.  “  Let  not  her  name  leave  thy  lips, 
let  it  be  ever  in  thy  heart.”  Your  hearts 
should  never  lose  confidence  in  her  holy  name, 
nor  should  your  lips  ever  cease  to  invoke  it. 
“  Following  her,  thou  wilt  certainly  not  go 
astray.”  0,  no,  if  we  follow  Mary,  we  shall  never 
err  from  the  paths  of  salvation.  “  Imploring 
her,  thou  wilt  not  despair.”  Each  time  that  we 
invoke  her  aid,  we  shall  be  inspired  with  perfect 
confidence.  “  If  she  supports  thee,  thou  canst 
not  fall;  ”  “  if  she  protects  thee  thou  hast  nothing 
to  fear,  for  thou  canst  not  be  lost;  ”  “  with  her 
for  thy  guide,  thou  wilt  not  be  weary,  for  thy  sal¬ 
vation  will  be  worked  out  with  ease/'  “  If  she 
is  propitious,  thou  wilt  gain  the  port.”  /  If  Mary 
undertakes  our  defence,  we  are  certain_of  gaining 
the  kingdom  of  heaven.  This  do,  and  thou  shall 
live! 1 


54 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


Example. 

St.  Helena,  mother  of  the  Emperor  Constantine, 
who  lived  in  the  fourth  century  of  the  Christian  era, 
was  worthy  of  being  counted  among  the  saints 
because  of  her  great  virtues.  Indeed,  she  deserves 
a  high  rank  among  the  saints  because  of  the  evi¬ 
dences  she  has  left  us  of  her  devotion  to  the  Blessed 
Virgin.  Father  Paulinus  tells  that  she  was  con¬ 
verted  even  before  her  son,  and  that  to  her  piety 
and  constant  prayers  his  conversion  may  be  ascribed. 
Nicephorus  tells  us  further  that  this  pious  princess 
made  a  pilgrimage  to  Nazareth  and  built  a  beautiful 
church  in  honor  of  Jesus  and  Mary  amidst  the 
scenes  made  memorable  by  their  presence  when  on 
earth.  She  also  built  a  church  in  Bethlehem  and 
one  in  the  valley  of  Josaphat,  on  the  site  of  the  holy 
tomb  where  the  glorious  body  of  the  Queen  of 
heaven  rested  until  it  was  transported  to  heaven. 
In  Naples  also  there  is  a  church  built  by  St.  Helena 
in  honor  of  Mary  and  dedicated  by  the  holy  Pontiff 
Sylvester.  Indeed  it  would  take  too  long  to  tell  of 
all  places  where  St.  Helena  left  noble  evidences  of 
her  devotion  to  the  Blessed  Virgin. 

Prayer. 

10  compassionate  Mother,  most  sacred  Virgin, 
behold  me  at  thy  feet !  If  thou  protectest  me,  what 
can  I  fear?  I  only  fear  lest,  in  my  temptations  and 
by  my  own  fault,  I  may  cease  to  recommend  myself 
to  thee  and  thus  be  lost.  But  I  now  promise  thee 
that  I  will  always  have  recourse  to  thee.  O,  help 
me  to  fulfil  my  promise.  Lose  not  the  opportunity 
which  now  presents  itself  of  gratifying  thy  ardent 
desire  to  succor  such  poor  wretches  as  myself.  In 
thee,  O  Mother  of  God,  I  have  unbounded  con- 


Mary ,  our  Life ,  our  Sweetness. 


55 


fidence.  From  thee  I  hope  for  grace  to  bewail  my 
sins  as  I  ought,  and  from  thee  I  hope  for  strength 
never  again  to  fall  into  them.  If  I  am  sick,  thou, 
O  celestial  physician,  canst  heal  me.  If  my  sins 
have  weakened  me,  thy  help  will  strengthen  me.  0 
Mary,  I  hope  all  from  thee ;  for  thou  art  all-powerful 
with  God.  Amen?) 


III. 

Mary  our  Sweetness;  she  renders  Death  Sweet  to  her 

Clients. 

0,  how  great  are  the  sufferings  of  the  dying! 
They  suffer  from  remorse  of  conscience  on  ac¬ 
count  of  past  sins,  from  fear  of  the  approaching 
judgment,  and  from  the  uncertainty  of  their 
eternal  salvation.  Then  it  is  that  hell  arms 
itself  and  spares  no  efforts  to  gain  the  soul  which 
is  on  the  point  of  entering  eternity;  for  it  knows 
that  only  a  short  time  remains  in  which  to  gain 
it,  and  that  if  it  then  loses  it,  it  has  lost  it  for¬ 
ever.  The  devil  is  come  down  unto  you,  having 
great  wrath,  knowing  that  lie  hath  hut  a  short  time. 
(Apoc.  xii.  12.)  And  for  this  reason  the  enemy 
of  our  salvation,-  whose  charge  it  was  to  tempt  the 
sou]  during  life,  does  not  choose  at  death  to  be 
alone,  but  calls  others  to  his  assistance,  according 
to  the  prophet  Isaias:  Their  houses  shall  he  filled 
with  serpents.  (Is.  xii.  21.) 

Ah,  how  quickly  do  the  rebellious  spirits  fly 


56  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

from  the  presence  of  this  Queen!  If  at  the  hour 
of  death  we  have  only  the  protection  of  Mary, 
what  need  we  fear  from  all  our  infernal  enemies? 
David,  fearing  the  horrors  of  death,  encouraged 
himself  by  placing  his  reliance  on  the  death  of 
the  coming  Redeemer  and  on  the  intercession  of 
the  Virgin  Mother.  For  though ,  he  says,  I  should 
walk  in  the  midst  of  the  shadow  of  death ,  .  .  .  thy 
rod  and  thy  staff,  they  have  comforted  me.  (Ps. 
xxii.  4.)  Cardinal  Hugo,  explaining  these  words 
of  the  royal  prophet,  says  that  the  stall  signifies 
the  cross,  and  the  rod  is  the  intercession  of  Mary; 
for  she  is  the  rod  foretold  by  the  prophet  Isaias: 
And  there  shall  come  forth  a  rod  out  of  the  root  of 
Jesse,  and  a  flower  shall  rise  up  out  of  his  root. 
(Is.  xi.  1.)  “  This  divine  Mother/’  says  St.  Peter 

Damian,  “  is  that  powerful  rod  with  which  the 
violence  of  the  infernal  enemies  is  conquered.” 
And  therefore  does  St.  Antoninus  encourage  us, 
saying,  “  If  Mary  is  for  us,  who  shall  he  against 
us?”  St.  Vincent  Ferrer  says  that  not  only 
does  the  most  blessed  Virgin  console  and  refresh 
them,  hut  that  “  she  receives  the  souls  of  the 
dying.”  This  loving  Queen  takes  them  under 
her  mantle,  and  thus  presents  them  to  the  Judge, 
her  Son,  and  most  certainly  obtains  their  salva¬ 
tion.  Father  Suarez,  in  consequence  of  his  devo¬ 
tion  to  Mary,  which  was  such  that  he  used  to  say 


Mary ,  our  Life ,  our  Sweetness.  57 

that  he  would  willingly  exchange  all  his  learning 
for  the  merit  of  a  single  “  Hail  Mary/’  died  with 
such  peace  and  joy  that  in  that  moment  he  said 
“  I  could  not  have  thought  that  death  was  so 
sweet;  ”  meaning  that  he  could  never  have  imag¬ 
ined  that  it  was  possible,  if  he  had  not  then 
experienced  it,  that  he  could  have  found  such 
sweetness  in  death. 

You,  devout  reader,  will,  without  doubt,  expe¬ 
rience  the  same  joy  and  contentment  in  death,  if 
you  can  then  remember  that  you  have  loved  this 
good  mother,  who  cannot  be  otherwise  than  faith¬ 
ful  to  her  children  who  have  been  faithful  in 
serving  and  honoring  her,  by  their  visits, 
rosaries,  and  fasts,  and  still  more  by  fre¬ 
quently  thanking  and  praising  her,  and  often 
recommending  themselves  to  her  powerful  pro¬ 
tection.  Nor  will  this  consolation  be  with¬ 
held,  even  if  you  have  been  for  a  time  a 
sinner,  provided  that,  from  this  day,  you  are 
careful  to  live  well,  and  to  serve  this  most 
gracious  and  benign  Lady.  In  your  pains,  and  in 
the  temptations  to  despair  which  the  devil  will 
send  you,  she  will  console  you,  and  even  come  her¬ 
self  to  assist  you  in  your  last  moments. 

Let  us  then  be  of  good  heart,  though  we  be 
sinners,  and  feel  certain  that  Mary  will  come  and 
assist  us  at  death,  and  comfort  and  console  us  with 


58  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

her  presence,  provided  only  that  we  serve  her 
with  love  during  the  remainder  of  the  time  that 
we  have  to  be  in  this  world.  Our  Queen,  one 
day  addressing  St.  Matilda,  promised  that  she 
would  assist  all  her  clients  at  death  who,  during 
their  lives,  had  faithfully  served  her.  “  I,  as  a 
most  tender  Mother,  will  faithfully  be  present  at 
the  death  of  all  who  piously  serve  me,  and  will 
console  and  protect  them.”  0  God,  what  a  con¬ 
solation  will  it  be  at  that  last  moment  of  our 
lives,  when  our  eternal  lot  has  so  soon  to  be 
decided,  to  see  the  Queen  of  heaven  assisting 
and  consoling  us  with  the  assurance  of  her  pro¬ 
tection. 

Example. 

At  Madrid  in  Spain  the  leader  of  a  revolutionary 
band  was  being  led  to  the  place  of  execution  to  be 
shot  to  death.  His  eyes  were  bandaged,  he  was 
kneeling,  and  the  soldiers  had  even  placed  their  guns 
in  position  waiting  the  order  to  fire,  when  the  An- 
gelus  rang  out.  It  is  a  law  in  Spain  that  no  one  may 
be  executed  during  the  ringing  of  the  Angelus.  So 
the  soldiers  put  down  their  guns,  and  the  condemned 
man  employed  his  respite  of  a  few  minutes  to  pray 
devoutly  to  Mary.  And  to  these  few  moments  of 
prayer  he  owed  his  life,  for  when  the  soldiers  raised 
their  guns  again  a  royal  officer  was  seen  galloping 
towards  the  place  of  execution  waving  a  white  cloth 
as  a  signal  of  reprieve.  The  rebel  had  to  promise 
to  leave  Spain  and  never  again  to  take  arms  against 
the  queen,  and  on  these  conditions  his  life  was 
spared. 


Mary ,  our  Life,  our  Siceetness. 


59 


Prayer. 

0  Mary,  in  the  blood  of  Jesus,  and  in  thy  inter¬ 
cession,  is  all  my  hope.  Thou  art  the  Queen  of 
heaven,  the  Mistress  of  the  universe;  in  short,  thou 
art  the  Mother  of  God.  O  Comfortress  of  the  afflicted, 
console  a  poor  creature  who  recommends  himself 
to  thee.  The  remorse  of  a  conscience  overburdened 
with  sins  fills  me  with  affliction.  If  thou  dost 
not  help  me,  I  am  lost.  O  compassionate  Virgin,, 
console  me;  obtain  for  me  true  sorrow  for  my  sins;, 
obtain  for  me  strength  to  amend  and  to  be 
faithful  to  God  during  the  rest  of  my  life.  And 
finally,  when  I  am  in  the  last  agonies  of  death,  O 
Mary,  my  hope,  abandon  me  not ;  then  more  than 
ever  help  and  encourage  me  that  I  may  not  despair 
at  the  sight  of  my  sins,  which  the  evil  one  will  then 
place  before  me.  O,  sweet  Mother,  I  hope  to  have 
the  consolation  of  remaining  always  at  thy  feet  in 
heaven,  thanking  and  blessing  and  loving  thee  eter¬ 
nally.  O  Mary,  I  shall  expect  thee  at  my  last  hour; 
deprive  me  not  of  this  consolation.  Amen,  amen. 


r 


CHAPTER  III. 

Spes  nostra!  Salve. 

MARY,  OUR  HOPE. 

I. 

Mary  is  the  Hope  of  All. 

Modern  heretics  cannot  endure  that  we  should 
salute  and  call  Mary  our  hope:  “  Hail,  our 
Hope!’’  They  say  that  God  alone  is  our  hope; 
and  that  he  curses  those  who  put  their  trust  in 
creatures  in  these  words  of  the  prophet  Jeremias: 
Cursed  be  the  man  that  trusteth  in  man.  (Jer. 
xvii.  5.)  Mary,  they  exclaim,  is  a  creature;  and 
how  can  a  creature  he  our  hope?  This  is  what 
the  heretics  say;  hut  in  spite  of  this,  the  holy 
Church  obliges  all  ecclesiastics  and  religious  each 
day  to  raise  their  voices,  and  in  the  name  of  all 
the  faithful  invoke  and  call  Mary  by  the  sweet 
name  of  “  our  Hope  ” — the  hope  of  all. 

The  angelical  Doctor  St.  Thomas  says  that  we 
can  place  our  hope  in  a  person  in  two  ways:  as  a 
principal  cause,  and  as  a  mediate  one.  Those 
who  hope  for  a  favor  from  a  king,  hope  it  from 

60 


Mary ,  our  Hope. 


61 


him  as  lord;  they  hope  for  it  from  his  minister 
or  favorite  as  an  intercessor.  If  the  favor  is 
granted,  it  comes  primarily  from  the  king,  but  it 
comes  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  favor¬ 
ite;  and  in  this  case  he  who  seeks  the  favor  is 
right  in  calling  his  intercessor  his  hope.  The 
King  of  heaven,  being  infinite  goodness,  desires 
in  the  highest  degree  to  enrich  us  with  his  graces; 
but  because  confidence  is  requisite  on  our  part, 
and  in  order  to  increase  it  in  us,  he  has  given  us 
his  own  Mother  to  be  our  Mother  and  advocate, 
and  to  her  he  has  given  all  power  to  help  us;  and 
therefore  he  wills  that  we  should  repose  our  hope 
of  salvation  and  of  every  blessing  in  her.  Those 
who  place  their  hopes  in  creatures  alone,  inde¬ 
pendently  of  God,  as  sinners  do,  and  in  order  to 
obtain  the  friendship  and  favor  of  a  man,  fear 
not  to  outrage  his  divine  Majesty,  are  most  cer¬ 
tainly  cursed  by  God,  as  the  prophet  Jeremias  says. 
But  those  who  hope  in  Mary,  as  Mother  of  God, 
who  is  able  to  obtain  graces  and  eternal  life  for 
them,  are  truly  blessed  and  acceptable  to  the 
heart  of  God,  who  desires  to  see  that  greatest  of 
his  creatures  honored;  for  she  loved  and  honored 
him  in  this  world  more  than  all  men  and  angels 
put  together.  And  therefore  we  justly  and  rea¬ 
sonably  call  the  Blessed  Virgin  our  hope,  trust¬ 
ing,  as  Cardinal  Bellarmine  says,  “  that  we  shall 


62  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Eegina. 

obtain,  through  her  intercession,  that  which  we 
should  not  obtain  by  our  own  unaided  prayers.” 
“We  pray  to  her,”  says  the  learned  Suarez,  “in 
order  that  the  dignity  of  the  intercessor  may  sup¬ 
ply  for  our  own  unworthiness;  so  that,”  he  con¬ 
tinues,  “  to  implore  the  Blessed  Virgin  in  such  a 
spirit  is  not  diffidence  in  the  mercy  of  God,  but 
fear  of  our  own  unworthiness.” 

It  is,  then,  not  without  reason  that  the  holy 
Church,  in  the  words  of  Ecclesiasticus,  call  Mary 
the  Mother  of  holy  hope.  (Ecclus.  xxiv.  24.)  She 
is  the  Mother  who  gives  birth  to  holy  hope  in  our 
hearts;  not  to  the  hope  of  the  vain  and  transitory 
goods  of  this  life,  but  of  the  immense  and  eter¬ 
nal  goods  of  heaven. 

“  Hail,  then,  0  hope  of  my  soul!  ”  exclaims  St. 
Ephrem,  addressing  this  divine  Mother;  “  hail,  0 
certain  salvation  of  Christians;  hail,  0  helper  of 
sinners;  hail,  fortress  of  the  faithful  and  salva¬ 
tion  of  the  world!  ”  Other  saints  remind  us  that 
after  God,  our  only  hope  is  Mary;  and  therefore 
they  call  her,  “  after  God,  their  only  hope.” 

St.  Germanus,  recognizing  in  Mary  the  source 
of  all  our  good,  and  that  she  delivers  us  from 
every  evil,  thus  invokes  her:  “  0,  my  sovereign 
Lady,  thou  alone  art  the  one  whom  God  has 
appointed  to  be  my  solace  here  below;  thou  art 
the  guide  of  my  pilgrimage,  the  strength  of  my 


Mary ,  our  Hope . 


63 


weakness,  the  riches  of  my  poverty,  remedy  for 
the  healing  of  my  wounds,  the  soother  of  my 
pains,  the  end  of  my  captivity,  the  hope  of  my 
salvation!  Hear  my  prayers,  have  pity  on  my 
tears,  I  conjure  thee,  0  thou  who  art  my  queen, 
my  refuge,  my  love,  my  help,  my  hope,  and  my 
strength.” 

St,  Ephrem,  reflecting  on  the  present  order  of 
Providence,  by  which  God  wills  (as  St.  Bernard 
says,  and  as  we  shall  prove  at  length)  that  all 
who  are  saved  should  be  saved  by  the  means  of 
Mary,  thus  addresses  her:  “  0  Lady,  cease  not  to 
watch  over  us;  preserve  and  guard  us  under 
the  wings  of  thy  compassion  and  mercy,  for,  after 
God,  we  have  no  hope  hut  in  thee.”  St.  Thomas 
of  Yillanova  repeats  the  same  thing,  calling  her 
“  our  only  refuge,  help,  and  asylum.”  St.  Ber¬ 
nard  seems  to  give  the  reason  for  this  when  he 
says,  “  See,  0  man,  the  designs  of  God — designs 
.by  which  he  is  able  to  dispense  his  mercy  more 
abundantly  to  us;  for,  desiring  to  redeem  the 
whole  human  race,  he  has  placed  the  whole  price 
of  redemption  in  the  hands  of  Mary  that  she  may 
dispense  it  at  will.” 

We  need  not,  then,  be  surprised  that  St.  Anto¬ 
ninus  applies  the  following  verse  of  the  Book  of 
Wisdom  to  Mary:  Noiv  all  good  things  came  to  me 
together  with  her.  (Wisd.  vii.  11.)  For  as  this 


64  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

Blessed  Virgin  is  the  Mother  and  dispenser  of  all 
good  things,  the  whole  world,  and  more  particu¬ 
larly  each  individual  who  lives  in  it  as  a  devout 
client  of  this  great  Queen,  may  say  with  truth 
that  with  devotion  to  Mary,  both  he  and  the 
world  have  obtained  everything  good  and  perfect. 
And  Blessed  Raymond  Jordano  also  says  “  that 
every  good,  every  help,  every  grace  that  men  have 
received  and  will  receive  from  God  until  the  end 
of  time,  came,  and  will  come,  to  them  by  the 
intercession  and  through  the  hands  of  Mary.” 
Therefore  St.  Bonaventure  says:  “  That  we 
ought  all  to  keep  our  eyes  constantly  fixed  on 
Mary's  hands,  that  through  them  we  may  receive 
the  graces  that  we  desire.” 

0,  how  many  who  were  once  proud  have 
become  humble  by  devotion  to  Mary!  how  many 
who  were  passionate  have  become  meek!  how 
many  in  the  midst  of  darkness  have  found  light! 
how  many  who  were  in  despair  have  found  con¬ 
fidence!  how  many  who  were  lost  have  found 
salvation  by  the  same  powerful  means!  And 
this  she  clearly  foretold  in  the  house  of  Eliza¬ 
beth,  in  her  own  sublime  canticle:  Behold,  from 
henceforth  all  generations  shall  call  me  blessed. 
And  St.  Bernard,  interpreting  her  words,  says: 
“All  generations  call  thee  blessed,  because  thou 
hast  given  life  and  glory  to  all  nations,  for  in 


Mary ,  our  Hope. 


65 


thee  sinners  find  pardon,  and  the  just  persever¬ 
ance  in  the  grace  of  God.'7 

0  God,  how  tender  are  the  sentiments  of  con¬ 
fidence  expressed  by  the  enamored  St.  Bonaven- 
ture  towards  Jesus  our  most  loving  Redeemer, 
and  Mary  our  most  loving  advocate!  He  says, 
“  Whatever  God  foresees  to  be  my  lot,  I  know 
that  he  cannot  refuse  himself  to  any  one  who 
loves  him  and  seeks  for  him  with  his  whole  heart. 
I  will  embrace  him  with  my  love;  and  if  he  does 
not  bless  me,  I  will  still  cling  to  him  so  closely 
that  he  will  be  unable  to  go  without  me.  If  X 
can  do  nothing  else,  at  least  I  will  hide  myself 
in  his  wounds,  and  taking  up  my  dwelling  there, 
it  will  be  in  himself  alone  that  he  will  find  me.77 
And  the  saint  concludes,  “  If  my  Redeemer  re¬ 
jects  me  on  account  of  my  sins,  and  drives  me 
from  his  sacred  feet,  I  will  cast  myself  at  those 
of  his  beloved  Mother  Mary,  and  there  I  will 
remain  prostrate  until  she  has  obtained  my  for¬ 
giveness;  for  this  Mother  of  mercy  knows  not, 
and  has  never  known,  how  to  do  otherwise  than 
compassionate  the  miserable,  and  comply  with 
the  desires  of  the  most  destitute  who  fly  to  her 
for  succor;  and  therefore,77  he  says,  “  if  not  by 
duty,  at  least  by  compassion,  she  will  engage  her 
Son  to  pardon  me.77 


66 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


Example. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  fifth  century  a  damnable  * 
heresy  originated  in  Constantinople.  This  heresy, 
which  was  publicly  preached  by  Nestorius,  the  un¬ 
worthy  patriarch  of  Constantinople,  particularly 
attacked  the  honor  and  glory  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 
Nestorius  taught  that  there  were  two  persons  in 
Christ,  a  divine  and  a  human,  and  therefore  Mary 
must  not  be  called  Mother  of  God,  as  she  was  only 
the  mother  of  the  human  person.  This  blasphemous 
assertion  outraged  the  faith  and  piety  of  the  people 
and  there  was  a  general  protest  against  this  new 
doctrine.  St.  Cyril,  patriarch  of  Alexandria,  was 
one  of  the  most  earnest  defenders  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin.  Chiefly  through  his  exertions  Pope  Celestin 
caused  a  Church  council  to  convene  at  Ephesus. 
Here  in  a  short  time  over  two  hundred  bishops 
assembled,  and  moreover  they  met  for  council  in 
a  church  dedicated  to  the  holy  Mother  of  God,  and 
bearing  her  name.  The  session  began  early  in  the 
morning  and  lasted  until  late  at  night,  and  the  peo¬ 
ple  gathered  in  front  of  the  church  even  at  dawn  of 
day  and  waited  with  singular  patience  until  the 
decision  was  announced.  When  it  was  at  last  an¬ 
nounced  that  the  council  had  pronounced  against 
Nestorius  the  joy  of  the  people  knew  no  bounds. 
The  bishops  were  escorted  to  their  dwelling-places  by 
the  most  distinguished  men  of  the  city  bearing 
torches.  Women  and  children  preceded  the  proces¬ 
sion  with  vessels  containing  incense  and  other  costly 
Oriental  perfumes.  Hymns  in  praise  of  Mary  rose 
from  thousands  of  throats.  The  heresy  had  been 
uprooted,  and  the  whole  Church  gave  thanks  that 
the  glory  of  Mary  was  vindicated. 


Mary ,  our  Hope. 


67 


Prayer. 

O  Mother  of  holy  love,  our  life,  our  refuge,  and 
our  hope,  thou  well  knowest  that  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ,  not  content  with  being  himself  our  perpetual 
advocate  with  the  Eternal  Father,  has  willed  that 
thou  also  shouldst  interest  thyself  with  him  in  order 
to  obtain  the  divine  mercies  for  us.  lie  has  decreed 
that  thy  prayers  should  aid  our  salvation,  and  has 
made  them  so  efficacious  that  they  obtain  all  that 
they  ask.  To  thee,  therefore,  who  art  the  hope  of  the 
miserable,  do  I,  a  wretched  sinner,  turn  my  eyes.  My 
confidence  in  thee  is  such  that  if  my  eternal  salva¬ 
tion  were  in  my  own  hands,  I  should  place  it  in 
thine,  for  I  rely  more  on  thy  mercy  and  protection 
than  on  all  my  own  works..  My  Mother  and  my  hope, 
abandon  me  not,  though  I  deserve  that  thou  shouldst 
do  so.  I  own  that  I  have  too  often  closed  my  heart, 
by  my  sins,  against  the  lights  and  helps  that  thou 
hast  procured  for  me  from  the  Lord.  But  thy  com¬ 
passion  for  the  miserable,  and  thy  power  with  God, 
far  surpass  the  number  and  malice  of  my  sins.  O 
Mary,  I  trust  in  thee ;  in  this  hope  I  live ;  in  it  I 
desire  and  hope  to  die,  repeating  always,  “  Jesus  is 
my  only  hope,  and  after  Jesus  the  Most  Blessed 
Virgin  Mary.” 


II. 

Mary  is  the  Hope  of  Sinners. 

One  of  the  titles  which  is  the  most  encouraging 
to  poor  sinners,  and  under  which  the  Church 
teaches  us  to  invoke  Mary  in  the  Litany  of  Lo- 
retto,  is  that  of  “Refuge  of  sinners.”  In  Judea 
in  ancient  times  there  were  cities  of  refuge  in 


68  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

which  criminals  who  fled  there  for  protection 
were  exempt  from  the  punishments  which  they 
had  deserved.  Nowadays  these  cities  are  not  so 
numerous;  there  is  hut  one,  and  that  is  Mary,  of 
whom  the  Psalmist  says:  Glorious  things  are  said 
of  tliee ,  0  city  of  God.  (Ps.  lxxxvi.  exc.  17.)  But 
this  city  differs  from  the  ancient  ones  in  this 
respect — that  in  the  latter  all  kinds  of  criminals 
did  not  find  refuge,  nor  was  the  protection  ex¬ 
tended  to  every  class  of  crime;  but  under  the 
mantle  of  Mary  all  sinners,  without  exception, 
find  refuge  for  every  sin  that  they  have  commit¬ 
ted,  provided  only  that  they  go  there  to  seek  for 
this  protection.  “I  am  the  city  of  refuge/7  says 
St.  John  Damascene,  in  the  name  of  our  Queen, 
“  to  all  who  flv  to  me/7  And  it  is  sufficient  to 
have  recourse  to  her,  for  whoever  has  the  good 
fortune  to  enter  this  city  need  not  speak  to  be 
saved.  Assemble  yourselves ,  and  let  us  enter  into 
the  fenced  city,  and  let  us  be  silent  there  (Jer.  viii. 
14),  to  speak  in  the  words  of  the  prophet  Jere- 
mias.  “  This  city,7'7  says  Blessed  Albert  the  Great, 
“  is  the  most  holy  Virgin  fenced  in  with  grace  and 
glory.77  “And  let  us  be  silent  there,77  that  is,  con¬ 
tinues  an  interpreter,  “  because  we  dare  not 
invoke  the  Lord,  whom  we  have  offended,  she 
will  invoke  and  ask.77  For  if  we  do  not  presume 
to  ask  Our  Lord  to  forgive  us.  it  will  suffice  to 


Mary ,  our  Hope. 


69 


enter  this  city  and  be  silent,  for  Mary  will  speak 
and  ask  all  that  we  require.  And  for  this  rea¬ 
son  a  devout  author  exhorts  all  sinners  to  take 
refuge  under  the  mantle  of  Mary,  exclaiming, 
“  Fly,  0  Adam  and  Eve,  and  all  you  their  chil¬ 
dren,  who  have  outraged  God;  fly,  and  take  refuge 
in  the  bosom  of  this  good  Mother.  Know  you  not 
that  she  is  our  only  city  of  refuge?"  “  the  only 
hope  of  sinners?  77  as  she  is  also  called  in  a  sermon 
by  an  ancient  writer,  found  in  the  works  of  St. 
Augustine. 

Let  us  then  cry  out  with  St.  Thomas  of  Villa- 
nova,  “  0  Mary,  we  poor  sinners  know  no  other 
refuge  than  thee,  for  thou  art  our  only  hope,  and 
on  thee  we  rely  for  our  salvation.77  Thou  art  our 
only  advocate  with  Jesus  Christ;  to  thee  we  all 
turn  ourselves. 

In  the  revelations  of  St.  Bridget,  Mary  is 
called  the  “  Star  preceding  the  sun/7  giving  us 
thereby  to  understand  that  when  devotion 
towards  the  divine  Mother  begins  to  manifest 
itself  in  a  soul  that  is  in  a  state  of  sin,  it  is  a 
certain  mark  that  before  long  God  will  enrich  it 
with  his  grace.  The  glorious  St.  Bonaventure, 
in  order  to  revive  the  confidence  of  sinners  in 
the  protection  of  Mary,  places  before  them  the 
picture  of  a  tempestuous  sea,  into  which  sinners 
have  already  fallen  from  the  ship  of  divine  grace; 


70  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

they  are  already  dashed  about  on  every  side  by 
remorse  of  conscience  and  by  fear  of  the  judg¬ 
ments  of  God;  they  are  without  light  or  guide, 
and  are  on  the  point  of  losing  the  last  breath  of 
hope  and  falling  into  despair;  then  it  is  that  Our 
Lord,  pointing  out  Mary  to  them,  who  is  com¬ 
monly  called  the  “  Star  of  the  Sea/’  raises  his 
voice  and  says,  “  0  poor  lost  sinners,  despair  not; 
raise  up  your  eyes  and  cast  them  on  this  beauti¬ 
ful  star;  breathe  again  with  confidence,  for  it  will 
save  you  from  this  tempest,  and  will  guide  you 
into  the  port  of  salvation.7’  St.  Bernard  says  the 
same  thing:  “  If  thou  wouldst  not  be  lost  in  the 
tempest,  cast  thine  eyes  on  the  star  and  invoke 
Mary.” 

St.  Ephrem,  addressing  this  Blessed  Virgin, 
says,  “  Thou  art  the  only  advocate  of  sinners,  and 
of  all  who  are  unprotected.”  And  then  he 
salutes  her  in  the  following  words:  “  Hail,  refuge 
and  hospital  of  sinners!” — true  refuge,  in  which 
alone  they  can  hope  for  reception  and  liberty. 

The  devout  Blosius  declares  that  “  she  is  the 
only  refuge  of  those  who  have  offended  God,  the 
asylum  of  all  who  are  oppressed  by  temptation, 
calamity,  or  persecution.  This  Mother  is  all 
mercy,  benignity,  and  sweetness,  not  only  to  the 
just,  but  also  to  despairing  sinners;  so  that  no 
sooner  does  she  perceive  them  coming  to  her,  and 


Mary ,  our  Hope. 


71 


seeking  her  health  from  their  hearts,  than  she 
aids  them,  welcomes  them,  and  obtains  their 
pardon  from  her  Son.  She  knows  not  how  to 
despise  any  one,  however  unworthy  he  may  he  of 
mercy,  and  therefore  denies  her  protection  to 
none;  she  consoles  all,  and  is  no  sooner  called 
•upon  than  she  helps  whoever  it  may  he  that  in¬ 
vokes  her.  She  by  her  sweetness  often  awakens 
and  draws  sinners  to  her  devotion  who  are  the 
most  at  enmity  with  God  and  the  most  deeply 
plunged  in  the  lethargy  of  sin;  and  then,  by  the 
same  means,  she  excites  them  effectually,  and 
prepares  them  for  grace,  and  thus  renders  them 
fit  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  God  has  created 
this  his  beloved  daughter  of  so  compassionate 
and  sweet  a  disposition  that  no  one  can  fear  to 
have  recourse  to  her.” 

Basil  of  Seleucia  encourages  sinners,  saying, 
“  0  sinner,  be  not  discouraged,  but  have  recourse 
to  Mary  in  all  thy  necessities;  call  her  to  thine 
assistance,  for  thou  wilt  always  find  her  ready  to 
help  thee;  for  such  is  the  divine  will  that  she 
should  help  all  in  every  kind  of  necessity.”  It 
was,  then,  not  without  reason  that  St.  Bernard 
addressed  the  Blessed  Virgin,  saying,  “  Thou,  0 
Lady,  dost  not  reject  any  sinner  who  approaches 
thee,  however  loathsome  and  repugnant  he  may 
be.  If  he  asks  thy  assistance,  thou  dost  not  dis- 


7 2  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

dain  to  extend  thy  compassionate  hand  to  him, 
to  extricate  him  from  the  gulf  of  despair.”  May 
our  God  be  eternally  blessed  and  thanked,  0  most 
amiable  Mary,  for  having  created  thee  so  sweet 
and  benign,  even  towards  the  most  miserable 
sinners!  Truly  unfortunate  is  he  who  loves  thee 
not,  and  who,  having  it  in  his  power  to  obtain  . 
thy  assistance,  has  no  confidence  in  thee. 

Example. 

The  holy  house  of  Nazareth,  in  which  the  angel 
Gabriel  announced  to  the  most  blessed  among 
women  her  high  destiny,  in  which  Jesus  spent  the 
years  of  his  childhood  and  his  youth  in  humble  and 
obscure  work  with  Joseph  and  Mary,  has  not  only 
been  preserved  for  our  tim.e,  but  has  been  miracu¬ 
lously  transported  to  within  reach  of  the  thousands 
and  thousands  of  pilgrims  whose  faith  has  urged 
and  still  urges  them  to  visit  Loretto.  St.  Helena, 
the  mother  of  Constantine,  the  first  Christian  em¬ 
peror,  came  to  Nazareth  in  the  year  325.  After  she 
had  located  the  holy  house  she  built  a  beautiful 
temple  over  it.  Even  in  the  year  1252  Louis  IX.. 
the  sainted  king  of  France,  visited  this  church  and 
received  communion  there.  When,  about  the  middle 
of  April  in  1291,  Ptolemy,  the  last  Christian  strong¬ 
hold,  was  lost  to  the  Greeks,  the  holy  house,  as  once 
the  holy  cross,  was  destined  to  be  taken  out  of  the 
power  of  the  infidels  and  restored  to  the  faithful. 
On  May  9,  1291,  the'  holy  house,  with  the  altar, 
crucifix,  statue  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  other 
articles  contained  in  it  disappeared  suddenly  from 
Nazareth.  Carried  miraculously  through  the  air,  it 
first  descended  to  earth  in  Dalmatia,  between  Tersato 


Mary ,  our  Hope. 


73 


and  Fiume,  on  the  coast  of  the  Adriatic,  opposite 
Italy.  The  Blessed  Virgin  herself  revealed  to  the 
priest  of  the  place,  who  was  lying  mortally  ill,  that 
the  house  standing  without  foundation  and  built 
after  a  strange  fashion  was  her  house  of  Nazareth, 
and  to  attest  its  miraculous  identity  the  priest  was 
to  recover  his  health.  After  three  years  and  seven 
months  the  holy  house  was  carried  across  the 
Adriatic  Sea  to  the  Italian  coast  by  angels  and 
placed  in  a  laurel  grove  in  a  Picenian  district,  near 
Becanati.  On  the  7th  of  September,  1295,  the  same 
unseen  hands  raised  the  holy  house  and  carried  it  to 
the  public  highway  about  one  thousand  feet  from  its 
last  resting-place,  and  here  it  still  stands.  Many 
investigations  and  daily  miracles  attest  that  this 
is  really  the  house  of  the  Holy  Family  at  Nazareth, 

Prayer. 

O  most  pure  Virgin  Mary,  I  venerate  thy  most 
holy  heart,  which  was  the  delight  and  resting-place 
of  God,  thy  heart  overflowing  with  humility,  purity, 
and  divine  love.  I,  an  unhappy  sinner,  approach 
thee  with  a  heart  all  loathsome  and  wounded.  For 
the  love  of  Jesus,  take  charge  of  my  salvation. 
Through  thee  do  I  hope  for  salvation.  I  ask  not  for 
riches,  honors,  or  earthly  goods.  I  seek  only  the 
grace  of  God,  love  towards  thy  Son,  the  accomplish¬ 
ment  of  his  will,  and  his  heavenly  kingdom,  that  I 
may  love  him  eternally.  Is  it  possible  that  thou  wilt 
not  hear  me?  No ;  for  already  thou  hast  granted  my 
prayer,  as  I  hope;  already  thou  prayest  for  me; 
already  thou  obtainest  me  the  graces  that  I  ask; 
already  thou  takest  me  under  thy  protection.  My 
Mother,  abandon  me  not.  Never,  never  cease  to 
pray  for  me,  until  thou  seest  me  safe  in  heaven  at 
thy  feet,  blessing  and  thanking  thee  forever.  Amen. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Ad  te  clamamus,  exules  filii  Evee. 

TO  THEE  DO  WE  CRY,  POOR  BANISHED  CHILDREN 

OF  EYE. 

Mary,  our  Help. 

I. 

The  Promptitude  of  Mary  in  assisting  those  who 

invoke  her. 

Truly  unfortunate  are  we  poor  children  of 
Eve;  for  guilty  before  God  of  her  fault,  and  con¬ 
demned  to  the  same  penalty,  we  have  to  wander 
about  in  this  valley  of  tears  as  exiles  from  our 
country,  and  to  weep  over  our  many  afflictions  of 
body  and  soul.  But  blessed  is  he  who,  in  the 
midst  of  these  sorrows,  often  turns  to  the  Corn- 
fortress  of  the  world,  to  the  Refuge  of  the  unfor¬ 
tunate,  to  the  great  Mother  of  God,  and  devoutly 
calls  upon  her  and  invokes  her!  Blessed  is  the 
man  that  heareth  me,  and  that  watcheth  daily  at  my 
gates.  (Prov.  viii.  34.)  “  Blessed,”  says  Mary,  “  is 
he  who  listens  to  my  counsels,  and  watches  con¬ 
tinually  at  the  gate  of  my  mercy,  and  invokes  my 
intercession  and  aid.” 


74 


Mary ,  our  Help. 


7o 


The  holy  Church  carefully  teaches  us  her  chil¬ 
dren  with  what  attention  and  confidence  we 
should  unceasingly  have  recourse  to  this  loving 
protectress;  and  for  this  purpose  commands  a 
worship  peculiar  to  Mary.  4  And  not  only  this, 
but  she  has  instituted  so  many  festivals  that  are 
celebrated  throughout  the  year  in  honor  of  this 
great  Queen:  she  devotes  one  day  in  the  week,  in 
an  especial  manner,  to  her  honor:  in  the  divine 
office  all  ecclesiastics  and  religious  are  daily 
obliged  to  invoke  her  in  the  name  of  all  Chris¬ 
tians;  and,  finally,  she  desires  that  all  the  faith¬ 
ful  should  salute  this  most  holy  Mother  of  God 
three  times  a  day,  at  the  sound  of  the  Angelus- 
bell.  And  that  we  may  understand  the  confi¬ 
dence  that  the  holy  Church  has  in  Mary,  we  need 
only  remember  that  in  all  public  calamities  she 
invariably  invites  all  to  have  recourse  to  the  pro¬ 
tection  of  this  divine  Mother,  by  novenas, 
prayers,  processions,  by  visiting  the  churches 
dedicated  in  her  honor,  and  her  images.  We 
often  obtain  more  promptly  what  we  ask  by  call¬ 
ing  on  the  name  of  Mary  than  by  invoking  that 
of  Jesus.  Her  Son  is  Lord  and  Judge  of  all,  and 
discerns  the  merits  of  each  one;  and  therefore  if 
he  does  not  immediately  grant  the  prayers  of  all, 
he  is  just.  When,  however,  the  Mother’s  name 
is  invoked,  though  the  merits  of  the  suppliant 


76  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

are  not  such  as  to  deserve  that  his  prayer  should 
he  granted,  those  of  the  Mother  supply  that 
he  may  receive.  St.  Bonaventure  remarks  that 
Ruth,  whose  name  signifies  “  seeing  and  hasten¬ 
ing,”  was  a  figure  of  Mary;  “  for  Mary,  seeing  our 
miseries,  hastens  in  her  mercy  to  succor  us.” 
Hovarinus  adds  that  “  Mary,  in  the  greatness  of 
her  desire  to  help  us,  cannot  admit  of  delay,  for 
she  is  in  no  way  an  avaricious  guardian  of  the 
graces  she  has  at  her  disposal  as  Mother  of  mercy, 
and  cannot  do  otherwise  than  immediately  shower 
down  the  treasures  of  her  liberality  on  her  ser¬ 
vants.”  The  compassion  of  Mary  is  poured  out 
on  every  one  who  asks  it,  even  should  it  be  sought 
for  by  no  other  prayer  than  a  simple  “  Hail 
Mary.”  Wherefore  Novarinus  declares  that  the 
Blessed  Virgin  not  only  runs  but  Hies  to  assist 
him  who  invokes  her.  66  She,”  says  this  author, 
“  in  the  exercise  of  her  mercy,  knows  not  how  to 
act  differently  from  Clod;  for,  as  he  flies  at  once 
to  the  assistance  of  those  who  beg  his  aid,  faith¬ 
ful  to  his  promise,  Ash,  and  you  shall  receive 
(John  xvi.  24),  so  Mary,  whenever  she  is  invoked, 
is  at  once  ready  to  assist  him  who  prays  to  her.” 

Mary,  even  when  living  in  this  world,  showed 
at  the  marriage-feast  of  Cana  the  great  compas¬ 
sion  that  she  would  afterwards  exercise  towards 
us  in  our  necessities,  and  which  now,  as  it  were. 


Mary ,  our  Heip. 


forces  her  to  have  pity  on  ns  and  assist  us,  even 
before  we  ask  her  to  do  so.  In  the  second  chap¬ 
ter  of  St.  Luke  we  read  that  at  this  feast  the 
compassionate  Mother  saw  the  embarrassment  in 
which  the  bride  and  bridegroom  were,  and  that 
they  were  quite  ashamed  on  seeing  the  wine  fail; 
and  therefore,  without  being  asked,  and  listening 
only  to  the  dictates  of  her  compassionate  heart, 
which  could  never  behold  the  afflictions  of  others 
without  feeling  for  them,  she  begged  her  Son  to 
console  them  simply  by  laying  their  distress  be¬ 
fore  him:  they  have  no  wine.  (John  ii.  3.)  No 
sooner  had  she  done  so  than  Our  Lord,  in  order 
to  satisfy  all  present,  and  still  more  to  console 
the  compassionate  heart  of  his  Mother,  who  had 
asked  the  favor,  worked  the  well-known  miracle 
by  which  he  changed  the  water,  brought  to  him 
in  jars,  into  wine.  From  this  Novarinus  argues 
that  “  if  Mary,  unasked,  is  thus  prompt  to  succor 
the  needy,  how  much  more  so  will  she  be  to  suc¬ 
cor  those  who  invoke  her  and  ask  for  her  help?  ” 
Should  there  be  any  one  who  doubts  as  to 
whether  Mary  will  aid  him  if  he  has  recourse  to 
her,  Innocent  III.  thus  reproves  him:  “  Who  is 
there  that  ever,  when  in  the  night  of  sin,  had 
recourse  to  this  sweet  Lady  without  being 
relieved?  ” 


78 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina . 


Example. 

We  read  in  the  life  of  St.  Francis  de  Sales  that 
he  experienced  the  efficacy  of  the  Memorare.  When 
he  was  about  seventeen  years  of  age  he  was  living  in 
Paris,  where  he  was  pursuing  his  studies.  At  the 
same  time  he  devoted  himself  to  exercises  of  piety 
and  to  the  holy  love  of  God,  in  which  he  found  the 
joys  of  paradise.  Our  Lord,  in  order  to  try  him, 
and  to  strengthen  the  bands  which  united  him  to 
himself,  allowed  the  evil  spirit  to  persuade  him  that 
all  that  he  did  was  in  vain,  as  he  was  already  con¬ 
demned  in  the  eternal  decrees  of  God.  The  dark¬ 
ness  and  spiritual  dryness  in  which  God  was  pleased 
at  the  same  time  to  leave  him,  for  he  was  then  insen¬ 
sible  to  all  the  sweeter  thoughts  of  the  goodness  of 
God,  caused  the  temptation  to  have  greater  power 
over  the  heart  of  the  holy  youth;  and  indeed  it 
reached  such  a  pitch  that  his  fears  and  interior  des¬ 
olation  took  away  his  appetite,  deprived  him  of  sleep, 
made  him  pale  and  melancholy;  so  much  so  that  he 
excited  the  compassion  of  all  who  saw  him. 

As  long  as  this  terrible  storm  lasted,  the  saint 
could  only  conceive  thoughts  and  utter  words  of 
despondency  and  bitter  grief.  “  Then,”  said  he,  “  I 
am  to  be  deprived  of  the  grace  of  my  God,  who 
hitherto  has  shown  himself  so  lovely  and  sweet  to 
me !  O  love,  O  beauty,  to  which  I  have  consecrated 
all  my  affections,  I  am  no  longer  to  enjoy  thy  con¬ 
solation!  O  Virgin,  Mother  of  God,  the  fairest 
amongst  all  the  daughters  of  Jerusalem,  then  I  am 
never  to  see  thee  in  heaven !  Ah,  Lady,  if  I  am  not 
to  behold  thy  beautiful  countenance  in  paradise,  at 
least  permit  me  not  to  blaspheme  thee  in  hell !  ” 
Such  were  the  tender  sentiments  of  that  afflicted 
but  at  the  same  time  loving  heart.  The  temptation 
had  lasted  a  month,  when  it  pleased  Our  Lord  to  de- 


Mary ,  our  Help. 


79 


liver  him  by  the  means  of  that  Comfortress  of  the 
world,  the  most  blessed  Mary,  to  whom  the  saint 
had  some  time  before  consecrated  his  virginity,  and 
in  whom,  as  he  declared,  he  had  placed  all  his  hopes. 
One  evening  on  returning  home  he  entered  a 
church  and  saw  a  tablet  hanging  on  the  wall.  He 
read  it  and  found  the  following  well-known  prayer, 
commonly  called  “  the  prayer  of  St.  Bernard  ” ; 
“Remember, O  most  pious  Virgin  Mary,  that  it  never 
has  been  heard  of  in  any  age  that  any  one  having 
recourse  to  thy  protection  was  abandoned.”  Falling- 
on  his  knees  before  the  altar  of  the  divine  Mother,  he 
recited  this  prayer  with  tender  fervor,  renewed  his 
vow  of  chastity,  promised  to  say  the  rosary  every 
day,  and  then  added :  “  My  Queen,  be  my  advocate 
with  thy  Son,  whom  I  dare  not  approach.  My 
Mother,  if  I  am  so  unfortunate  as  not  to  be  able  to 
love  my  Lord  in  the  next  world,  and  whom  I  know  to 
be  so  worthy  of  love,  at  least  do  thou  obtain  that  I 
may  love  him  in  this  world  as  much  as  possible. 
This  is  the  grace  that  I  ask  and  hope  for  from  thee.” 
Having  thus  addressed  the  Blessed  Virgin,  he  cast 
himself  into  the  arms  of  divine  mercy  and  resigned 
himself  entirely  to  the  will  of  God.  Scarcely  had  he 
finished  his  prayer,  when  in  an  instant  he  was  deliv¬ 
ered  from  his  temptation  by  his  most  sweet  Mother. 
He  immediately  regained  the  peace  of  his  soul  and 
with  it  his  bodily  health,  and  from  that  time  for¬ 
ward  lived  most  devout  to  Mary,  whose  praises  and 
mercy  he  constantly  extolled,  both  in  his  sermons 
and  writings,  during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Prayer. 

0  Mother  of  God,  Queen  of  angels  and  hope  of 
men,  give  ear  to  one  who  calls  upon  thee  and  has 
recourse  to  thy  protection.  I  desire  to  be  forever 


80 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


thy  servant.  I  offer  myself  to  serve  and  honor  thee 
to  the  utmost  of  my  power  during  the  whole  of  my 
life.  I  know  that  the  service  of  one  so  vile  and  mis¬ 
erable  can  be  no  honor  to  thee,  since  I  have  so 
grievously  offended  Jesus,  thy  Son  and  my  Redeemer. 
But  if  thou  wilt  accept  one  so  unworthy  for  thy 
servant,  and  by  thy  intercession  change  me,  thus 
making  me  worthy,  this  very  mercy  will  give  thee 
that  honor  which  so  miserable  a  wretch  as  I  can 
never  give  thee.  Receive  me,  then,  and  reject  me 
not,  O  my  Mother.  The  Eternal  Word  came  from 
heaven  on  earth  to  seek  for  lost  sheep,  and  to  save 
them  he  became  thy  Son.  And  when  one  of  them 
goes  to  thee  to  find  Jesus,  wilt  thou  despise  it?  O 
then  help  me,  my  Queen;  my  Queen,  save  me.  To 
thee  do  I  this  day  consecrate  my  whole  soul ;  do  thou 
save  it. 


II. 


The  Greatness  of  the  Power  of  Mary  to  defend  those 

who  invoke  her  when  tempted  by  the  Devil. 

• 

In  Judea  victories  were  gained  by  means  of 
the  ark.  Thus  it  was  that  Moses  conquered  his 
enemies,  as  we  learn  from  the  Book  of  Numbers. 
And  when  the  ark  ivas  lifted  up,  Moses  said:  Arise , 
0  Lord,  and  let  Thy  enemies  he  scattered.  (Num. 
x.  35.)  Thus  was  Jericho  conquered;  thus  also 
the  Philistines;  for  the  ark  of  God  was  there.  (I. 
Kings  xiv.  18.)  It  is  well  known  that  this  ark 
was  a  figure  of  Mary.  Cornelius  a  Lapide  says: 
“  In  time  of  danger,  Christians  should  fly  to  the 


Mary,  our  Help. 


81 


most  blessed  Virgin,  who  contained  Christ  as 
manna  in  the  ark  of  her  womb,  and  brought  him 
forth  to  be  the  food  and  salvation  of  the  world.'’ 
For  as  manna  was  in  the  ark,  so  is  Jesus  (of 
whom  manna  was  a  figure)  in  Mary;  and  by 
means  of  this  ark  we  gain  the  victory  over  our 
earthly  and  infernal  enemies.  “And  thus,”  St. 
Bernardine  of  Sienna  well  observes,  “  when  Mary, 
the  ark  of  the  New  Testament,  was  raised  to  the 
dignity  of  Queen  of  heaven,  the  power  of  hell 
over  men  was  weakened  and  dissolved.” 

“  0  how  the  infernal  spirits  tremble  at  the  very 
thought  of  Mary,  and  of  her  august  name!”  says 
St.  Bona  venture.  “  0  how  fearful  is  Mary  to 
the  devils!”  The  saint  compares  these  enemies 
to  those  of  whom  Job  speaks:  He  diggeth  through 
houses  in  the  dark:  if  the  morning  suddenly  appear , 
it  is  to  them  the  shadow  of  death.  (Job  xxiv.  16.) 
Thieves  go  and  rob  houses  in  the  dark;  but  as 
soon  as  morning  dawns  they  fly,  as  if  they  beheld 
the  shadow  of  death.  “  Precisely  thus,”  in  the 
words  of  the  same  saint,  “  do  the  devils  enter  a 
soul  in  the  time  of  darkness;  ”  meaning  when 
the  soul  is  in  the  obscurity  of  ignorance.  They 
dig  through  the  house  of  our  mind  when  it  is  in 
the  darkness  of  ignorance.  But  then,  he  adds, 
“  if  suddenly  they  are  overtaken  by  the  dawn, 
that  is,  if  the  grace  and  mercy  of  Mary  enters 


82  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

the  soul,  its  brightness  instantly  dispels  the  dark¬ 
ness  and  puts  the  infernal  enemies  to  flight,  as 
if  they  fled  from  death.”  0  blessed  is  he  who 
always  invokes  the  beautiful  name  of  Mary  in 
his  conflicts  with  hell! 

The  devils  tremble  even  if  they  only  hear  the 
name  of  Mary.  St.  Bernard  declares  that  in 
“  the  name  of  Mary  every  knee  bows;  and  that 
the  devils  not  only  fear  but  tremble  at  the  very 
sound  of  that  name.”  And  as  men  fall  prostrate 
with  fear  if  a  thunderbolt  falls  near  them,  so  do 
the  devils  if  they  hear  the  name  of  Mary.  St. 
Anselm  declares  that  he  himself  “  knew  and  had 
seen  and  heard  many  who  had  invoked  the  name 
of  Mary  in  time  of  danger,  and  were  immediately 
delivered  from  it.” 

“  Glorious  indeed,  and  admirable,”  exclaims 
St.  Bonaventure,  “  is  thy  name,  0  Mary;  for 
those  who  pronounce  it  at  death  need  not  fear 
all  the  powers  of  hell;  ”  for  the  devils  on  hearing 
that  name  instantly  fly  and  leave  the  soul  in 
peace.  The  same  saint  adds  “  that  men  do  not 
fear  a  powerful  hostile  army  as  much  as  the  pow¬ 
ers  of  hell  fear  the  name  and  protection  of  Mary.” 

Thou,  0  Lady,”  says  St.  Germanus,  “  by  the 
simple  invocation  of  thy  most  powerful  name, 
givest  security  to  thy  servants  against  all  the 
assaults  of  the  enemy.”  Oh,  were  Christians  but 


Mary ,  our  Help. 


83 


careful  in  their  temptations  to  pronounce  the 
name  of  Mary  with  confidence,  never  would  they 
fall;  for,  as  Blessed  Allan  remarks,  “At  the  very 
sound  of  these  words,  Hail,  Mary!  Satan  flies  and 
hell  trembles.'' 


Example. 

The  holy  house  of  Nazareth  in  the  Cathedral  at 
Loretto  is  thirty  feet  long,  thirteen  feet  wide,  and 
thirteen  feet  high.  The  walls  are  a  good  foot  thick. 
The  stones  of  the  walls  are  tufa,  of  the  kind  which 
is  used  as  building  material  at  Nazareth.  This  has 
been  shown  by  chemical  examination.  The  inside 
walls,  though  blackened  by  smoke  and  kissed  smooth 
in  places  by  the  faithful,  have  not  been  changed 
otherwise.  From  the  old  wood  work  of  the  ceiling — 
it  is  of  cedar- wood — fifty-two  lamps  are  suspended. 
Their  light  is  never  permitted  to  go  out.  On  the 
western  wall  is  the  crucifix  brought  over  from 
Nazareth  with  the  holy  house.  In  the  centre  of 
the  holy  house  is  the  same  altar  which  was  in  it  at 
the  time  of  its  transportation.  Silver  busts  of  St. 
Joseph  and  St.  Anne  ornament  the  altar,  and  inside 
of  it  is  the  stone  altar  on  which  even  St.  Peter  cele¬ 
brated  the  holy  mysteries.  In  the  wall  behind  the 
altar  is  the  fireplace  at  which  the  blessed  Queen  of 
heaven  prepared  the  food  for  her  divine  Son.  Over 
the  fireplace  is  the  ancient  and  wondrous  image  of 
the  Mother  of  God  with  the  Child  Jesus.  It  is  made 
out  of  cedar-wood  and  ornamented  with  a  triple 
crown  of  precious  stones,  and  clothed  in  cloths  of 
gold,  on  which  jewels  and  gold  and  silver  ornaments 
are  applied.  This  picture  too  came  over  with  the 
holy  house.  The  image  is  blackened  by  time,  is 
two  feet  eight  inches  high,  and  the  hair,  after  the 


84  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

custom  of  the  Mazarenes,  flows  unbound  over  the 
shoulders.  The  statue  of  the  Child  is  one  foot  and 
two  inches  high.  It  rests  on  the  arm  of  the  Virgin 
and  holds  up  the  first  finger  as  if  in  blessing.  In 
the  left  hand  there  is  a  golden  ball.  The  Child,  too, 
has  the  hair  flowing  over  the  shoulders. 

Prayer. 

Behold  at  thy  feet,  O  Mary  my  hope,  a  poor  sin¬ 
ner,  who  has  so  many  times  been  by  his  own  fault 
the  slave  of  hell.  Place  me  under  thy  mantle;  per¬ 
mit  me  not  again  to  become  its  slave.  I  know 
that  thou  wilt  help  me  and  give  me  the  victory,  pro¬ 
vided  I  invoke  thee;  but  I  dread  lest  in  my  tempta¬ 
tions  I  may  forget  thee  and  neglect  tp  do  so.  The 
favor,  then,  that  I  seek  of  thee,  and  which  thou 
must  grant  me,  O  most  holy  Virgin,  is  that  I  may 
never  forget  thee,  and  especially  in  time  of  tempta¬ 
tion;  grant  that  I  may  then  repeatedly  invoke  thee, 
saying,  “  O  Mary,  help  me ;  O  Mary,  help  me.” 
And  when  my  last  struggle  comes,  at  the  mo¬ 
ment  of  death,  ah  then,  my  Queen,  help  me  more 
than  ever,  and  thou  thyself  remind  me  to  call  on  thee 
more  frequently  either  with  my  lips  or  in  my  heart ; 
that,  being  thus  filled  with  confidence,  I  may  expire 
with  thy  sweet  name  and  that  of  thy  Son  Jesus  on 
my  lips;  that  so  I  may  be  able  to  bless  thee  and 
praise  thee,  and  not  to  depart  from  thy  feet  in  para¬ 
dise  for  all  eternity.  Amen. 


CHAPTER  Y. 

Ad  te  suspiramus  gementes  et  fientes  in  hac  lacrymarum 

mile. 

TO  THEE  DO  WE  SIGH,  MOURNING  AND  WEEPING, 
IN YTHIS  VALLEY  OF  TEARS. 

Mary,  our  Mediatress. 

I. 

The  Necessity  of  the  Intercession  of  Mary  for  our 

Salvation. 

That  it  is  not  only  lawful  but  useful  to  invoke 
and  pray  to  the  saints,  and  more  especially  to  the 
Queen  of  saints,  the  most  holy  and  ever  blessed 
Virgin  Mary,  in  order  that  they  may  obtain  us 
the  divine  grace,  is  an  article  of  faith,  and  has 
been  defined  by  General  Councils,  against  heretics 
who  condemned  it  as  injurious  to  Jesus  Christ, 
who  is  our  only  mediator;  but  if  a  Jeremias  after 
his  death  prayed  for  Jerusalem  (II.  Mach.  xv.  14); 
if  the  ancients  of  the  Apocalypse  presented  the 
prayers  of  the  saints  to  God;  if  a  St.  Peter  prom¬ 
ises  his  disciples  that  after  his  death  he  will  be 
mindful  of  them;  if  a  holy  Stephen  prays  for  his 

85 


86  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

persecutors;  if  a  St.  Paul  prays  for  his  compan¬ 
ions;  if,  in  fine,  the  saints  can  pray  for  us,  why 
cannot  we  beseech  the  saints  to  intercede  for  us? 
St.  Paul  recommends  himself  to  the  prayers  of 
his  disciples:  Brethren,  pray  for  us.  (I.  Thess.  v. 
25.)  St.  James  exhorts  us  to  pray  one  for  another: 
Pray  one  for  another,  that  you  may  he  saved. 
(James  v.  16.)  Then  we  can  do  the  same. 

No  one  denies  that  Jesus  Christ  is  our  only 
mediator  of  justice,  and  that  he  by  his  merits  has 
obtained  our  reconciliation  with  God.  But,  on 
the  other  hand,  it  is  impious  to  assert  that  God 
is  not  pleased  to  grant  graces  at  the  intercession 
of  his  saints,  aud  more  especially  of  Mary  his 
Mother,  whom  Jesus  desires  so  much  to  see  loved 
and  honored  by  all.  Who  can  pretend  that  the 
honor  bestowed  on  a  mother  does  not  redound 
to  the  honor  of  the  son?  The  glory  of  children 
are  their  fathers.  (Prov.  xvii.  6.)  Whence  St. 
Bernard  says,  “  Let  us  not  imagine  that  we 
obscure  the  glory  of  the  Son  by  the  great  praise 
we  lavish  on  the  Mother;  for  the  more  she  is  hon¬ 
ored,  the  greater  is  the  glory  of  her  Son.” 
“  There  can  be  no  doubt,”  says  the  saint,  u  that 
whatever  we  say  in  praise  of  the  Mother  is  equally 
in  praise  of  the  Son.”  And  St.  Ildephonsus  also 
says,  “  That  which  is  given  to  the  Mother  re¬ 
dounds  to  the  Son;  the  honor  given  to  the  Queen 


Mary ,  our  Mediatress. 


87 


is  honor  bestowed  on  the  King."’  There  can  he 

no  doubt  that  by  the  merits  of  Jesus,  Mary  was 

made  the  mediatress  of  our  salvation;  not  indeed 

a  mediatress  of  justice,  hut  of  grace  and  inter- 
* 

cession;  as  St.  Bona  venture  expressly  calls  her 
“  Mary,  the  most  faithful  mediatress  of  our  salva¬ 
tion.”  And  St.  Laurence  Justinian  asks,  “How 
can  she  be  otherwise  than  full  of  grace,  who  has 
been  made  the  ladder  to  paradise,  the  gate  of 
heaven,  the  most  true  mediatress  between  God 
and  man?”  Hence  the  learned  Suarez  justly 
remarks  that  if  we  implore  our  blessed  Lady  to 
obtain  us  a  favor,  it  is  not  because  we  distrust 
the  divine  mercy,  but  rather  that  we  fear  our  own 
unworthiness  and  the  absence  of  proper  disposi¬ 
tions;  and  we  recommend  ourselves  to  Mary  that 
her  dignity  may  supply  for  our  lowliness. 

That  it  is  most  useful  and  holy  to  have  re¬ 
course  to  the  intercession  of  Mary  can  only  he 
doubted  bv  those  who  have  not  faith.  But  that 
which  we  intend  to  prove  here  is  that  the  inter¬ 
cession  of  Mary  is  even  necessary  to  salvation;  we 
say  necessary — not  absolutely,  hut  morally.  This 
necessity  proceeds  from  the  will  itself  of  God, 
that  all  graces  that  he  dispenses  should  pass 
through  the  hands  of  Mary,  according  to  the 
opinion  of  St.  Bernard,  and  which  we  may  now 
with  safety  call  the  general  opinion  of  theolo- 


88  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

gians  and  learned  men.  The  author  of  the  Reign 
of  Mary  positively  asserts  that  such  is  the  case. 
It  is  maintained  by  Vega,  Mendoza,  Paciucchelli, 
Segneri,  Poire,  Crasset,  and  by  innumerable  other 
learned  authors.  Even  Father  Natalis  Alexan¬ 
der,  who  always  uses  so  much  reserve  in  his 
propositions,  even  he  says  that  it  is  the  will  of 
God  that  we  should  expect  all  graces  through  the 
intercession  of  Mary.  I  will  give  his  own  words: 
“  God  wills  that  we  should  obtain  all  good  things 
that  we  hope  for  from  him  through  the  powerful 
intercession  of  the  Virgin  Mother,  and  we  shall 
obtain  them  whenever  (as  we  are  in  duty  bound) 
we  invoke  her.”  In  confirmation  of  this,  he 
quotes  the  following  celebrated  passage  of  St. 
Bernard:  “  Such  is  God’s  will  that  we  should 
have  all  through  Mary.”  Father  Contenson  is 
also  of  the  same  opinion;  for,  explaining  the 
words  addressed  by  Our  Lord  on  the  cross  to  St. 
John:  Behold  thy  Mother  (John  xix.  27),  he  re¬ 
marks,  te  That  it  is  the  same  thing  as  if  he  had 
said:  As  no  one  can  be  saved  except  through  the 
merits  of  my  sufferings  and  death,  so  no  one  will 
be  a  partaker  of  the  blood  then  shed  otherwise 
than  through  the  prayer  of  my  Mother.  He 
alone  is  a  son  of  my  sorrows  who  has  Mary  for 
his  Mother.  My  wounds  are  ever-flowing  foun¬ 
tains  of  grace;  but  their  streams  will  reach  no 


Mary ,  our  Mediatress. 


89 


one  but  by  the  channel  of  Mary.  In  vain  will  he 
invoke  me  as  a  Father  who  has  not  venerated 
Mary  as  a  Mother.  And  thou,  my  disciple  John, 
if  thou  lovest  me,  love  her;  for  thou  wilt  be  be¬ 
loved  by  me  in  proportion  to  thy  love  for  her." 

This  proposition,  that  all  that  we  receive  from 
Our  Lord  comes  through  Mary,  does  not  exactly 
please  a  certain  modern  writer,*  who,  although 
in  other  respects  he  speaks  of  true  and  false  devo¬ 
tion  with  much  learning  and  piety,  yet  when  he 
treats  of  devotion  towards  the  divine  Mother  he 
seems  to  grudge  her  that  glory  which  was  given 
her  without  scruple  by  a  St.  Germanus,  a  St. 
Anselm,  a  St.  John  Damascene,  a  St.  Bonaven- 
ture,  a  St.  Antoninus,  a  St.  Bernardine,  the  Ven¬ 
erable  Abbot  of  Celles,  and  so  many  other  learned 
men,  who  had  no  difficulty  in  affirming  that  the 
intercession  of  Mary  is  not  only  useful  but j 
necessary.  The  same  author  says  that  the  propo¬ 
sition  that  God  grants  no  grace  otherwise  than 
through  Mary  is  hyperbolical  and  exaggerated, 
having  dropped  from  the  lips  of  some  saints  in 
the  heat  of  fervor,  but  which,  correctly  speaking, 
is  only  to  be  understood  as  meaning  that  through 
Mary  we  receive  Jesus  Christ,  by  whose  merits 
we  obtain  all  graces;  for  he  adds,  “  To  believe 


*  This  author  is  the  celebrated  Muratori. — Ed. 


90 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


that  God  can  grant  ns  no  graces  without  the 
intercession  of  Mary  would  be  contrary  to  faith 
and  the  doctrine  of  St.  Paul,  who  says  that  we 
acknowledge  but  one  God  and  one  Mediator  of  God 
and  men  the  man  Christ  Jesus A  (1.  Tim.  ii.  5.) 

But  with  his  leave,  and  going  upon  his  own 
admissions,  mediation  of  justice  by  way  of  merit 
is  one  thing,  and  mediation  by  grace  by  way  of 
prayer  is  another.  And  again,  it  is  one  thing  to 
say  that  God  cannot,  and  another  that  he  will 
not,  grant  graces  without  the  intercession  of 
Mary.  We  willingly  admit  that  God  is  the 
source  of  every  good,  and  the  absolute  master  of 
!  all  graces;  and  that  Mary  is  only  a  pure  creature, 
who  receives  whatever  she  obtains  as  a  pure  favor 
from  God.  But  who  can  ever  deny  that  it  is 
most  reasonable  and  proper  to  assert  that  God, 
in  order  to  exalt  this  great  creature,  who  more 
than  all  others  honored  and  loved  him  during  her 


l 

I 


g 


life,  and  whom,  moreover,  he  had  chosen  to  be 
the  Mother  of  his  Son,  our  common  Redeemer, 
wills  that  all  graces  that  are  granted  to  those 
whom  he  has  redeemed  should  pass  through  and 
be  dispensed  by  the  hands  of  Mary?  We  most 
readily  admit  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  only  Medi¬ 
ator  of  justice,  according  to  the  distinction  just 
made,  and  that  by  his  merits  he  obtains  us  all 
graces  and  salvation;  but  we  say  that  Mary  is  the 


Mary ,  our  Mediatress. 


91 


mediatress  of  grace;  and  that  receiving  all  she 
obtains  through  Jesus  Christ,  and  because  she 
prays  and  asks  for  it  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ, 
yet  all  the  same  whatever  graces  we  receive,  they 
come  to  us  through  her  intercession. 

There  is  certainly  nothing  contrary  to  faith  in 
this,  hut  the  reverse.  It  is  quite  in  accordance 
with  the  sentiments  of  the  Church,  which,  in  its 
public  and  approved  prayers,  teaches  us  continu¬ 
ally  to  have  recourse  to  this  divine  Mother,  and 
to  invoke  her  as  the  “  health  of  the  weak,  the 
refuge  of  sinners,  the  help  of  Christians,  and  as 
our  life  and  hope.”  In  the  Office  appointed  to 
be  said  on  the  feasts  of  Mary,  this  same  holy 
Church,  applying  the  words  of  Ecclesiasticus  to 
this  Blessed  Virgin,  gives  us  to  understand  that 
in  her  we  find  all  hope.  In  me  is  all  hope  of  life 
and  of  virtue!  (Ecclus.  xxiv.  25);  in  Mary  is  every 
grace.  In  me  is  all  grace  of  the  way  and  of  the  truth 
(ib.);  in  Mary,  finally,  we  shall  find  life  and  eter¬ 
nal  salvation:  Who  finds  me  finds  life,  and  draivs 
salvation  from  the  Lord.  (Prov.  viii.  35.)  And 
elsewhere:  They  that  work  by  me  shall  not  sin ;  they 
that  explain  me  shall  have  everlasting  life.  (Ecclus. 
xxiv.  30,  31.)  And  surely  such  expressions  as 
these  sufficiently  prove  that  we  require  the  inter¬ 
cession  of  Mary. 

Moreover,  we  are  confirmed  in  this  opinion  by 


92 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


so  many  theologians  and  Fathers,  of  whom  it  is 
certainly  incorrect  to  say,  as  the  above-named 
author  does,  that,  in  exalting  Mary,  they  spoke 
hyperbolically  and  allowed  great  exaggerations  to 
fall  from  their  lips.  To  exaggerate  and  speak 
hyperbolically  is  to  exceed  the  limits  of  truth; 
and  surely  we  cannot  say  that  saints  who  were 
animated  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  which  is  truth  it¬ 
self,  spoke  thus.  If  I  may  he  allowed  to  make  a 
short  digression,  and  give  my  own  sentiment,  it 
is,  that  when  an  opinion  tends  in  any  way  to  the 
honor  of  the  most  blessed  Virgin,  when  it  has 
some  foundation,  and  is  not  repugnant  to  the 
faith,  nor  to  the  decrees  of  the  Church,  nor  to 
truth,  the  refusal  to  hold  it,  or  to  oppose  it  be¬ 
cause  the  reverse  may  be  true,  shows  little  devo¬ 
tion  to  the  Mother  of  God.  Of  the  number  of 
such  as  these  I  do  not  choose  to  be,  nor  do  I  wish 
my  reader  to  be  so,  but  rather  of  the  number  of 
those  who  fully  and  firmly  believe  all  that  can 
without  error  be  believed  of  the  greatness  of 
Mary,  according  to  the  Abbot  Rupert,  who, 
amongst  the  acts  of  homage  most  pleasing  to 
this  good  Mother,  places  that  of  firmly  believing 
all  that  redounds  to  her  honor.  If  there  were 
nothing  else  to  take  away  our  fear  of  exceeding 
in  the  praises  of  Mary,  St.  Augustine  should  suf¬ 
fice;  for  he  declares  that  whatever  we  may  say  in 


Mary ,  our  Mediatress. 


93 


praise  of  Mary  is  little  in  comparison  with  that 
which  she  deserves,  on  account  of  her  dignity  of 
Mother  of  God;  and,  moreover,  the  Church  says, 
in  the  Mass  appointed  for  her  festivals,  “  Thou 
art  happy,  0  sacred  Virgin  Mary,  and  most 
worthy  of  all  praise.” 

But  let  us  return  to  the  point  and  examine 
what  the  saints  say  on  the  subject.  St.  Bernard 
says  “  that  God  has  filled  Mary  with  all  graces, 
so  that  men  may  receive  by  her  means,  as  by  a 
channel,  every  good  thing  that  comes  to  them.'’ 
He  says  that  “  she  is  a  full  aqueduct  that  others 
may  receive  of  her  plenitude.”  On  this  the  saint 
makes  the  following  significant  remark:  “  Before 
the  birth  of  the  Blessed  ATirgin,  a  constant  flow 
of  graces  was  wanting,  because  this  aqueduct  did 
not  exist.”  But  now  that  Mary  has  been  given 
to  the  world,  heavenly  graces  constantly  flow 
through  her  on  all. 

The  devil,  like  Holofernes,  who,  in  order  to 
gain  possession  of  the  city  of  Bethulia,  ordered 
the  aqueducts  to  be  destroyed,  exerts  himself  to 
his  utmost  to  destroy  devotion  to  the  Mother  of 
God  in  souls;  for  if  this  channel  of  grace  is 
closed,  he  easily  gains  possession  of  them.  And 
here,  continues  the  same  St.  Bernard,  “  See,  0 
souls,  with  what  tender  devotion  Our  Lord  wills 
that  we  should  honor  our  Queen,  by  always  hav- 


94  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

ing  recourse  to  her  protection,  and  by  relying  on 
it;  for  in  Mary  he  has  placed  the  plenitude  of 
every  good,  so  that  henceforward  we  may  know 
and  acknowledge  that  whatever  hope,  grace,  or 
other  advantage  we  possess,  all  comes  from  the 
hand  of  Mary.”  St.  Antoninus  says  the  same 
thing:  “  All  graces  that  have  ever  been  bestowed 
on  men,  all  came  through  Mary.”  And  on  this 
account  she  is  called  the  moon,  according  to  the 
following  remark  of  St.  Bonaventure:  “As  the 
moon,  which  stands  between  the  sun  and  the 
earth,  transmits  to  this  latter  whatever  it  re¬ 
ceives  from  the  former,  so  does  Mary  pour  out 
upon  us  who  are  in  this  world  the  heavenly  graces 
that  she  receives  from  the  divine  sun  of  justice.” 

Again,  the  holy  Church  calls  her  “  the  happy 
gate  of  heaven;  ”  for,  as  the  same  St.  Bernard  re¬ 
marks:  “As  every  mandate  of  grace  that  is  sent 
by  a  king  passes  through  the  palace  gates,  so  does 
every  grace  that  comes  from  heaven  to  the  world 
pass  through  the  hands  of  Mary.”  St.  Bonaven¬ 
ture  says  that  Mary  is  called  “  the  gate  of  heaven, 
because  no  one  can  enter  that  blessed  kingdom 
without  passing  through  her.” 

An  ancient  author,  probably  St.  Sophronius,  in 
a  sermon  on  the  Assumption,  published  with  the 
works  of  St.  Jerome,  says  “  that  the  plenitude  of 
grace  which  is  in  Jesus  Christ  came  into  Mary, 


Mary ,  our  Mediatress. 


95 


though  in  a  different  way;  ”  meaning  that  it  is 
Our  Lord,  as  in  the  head,  from  which  the  vital 
spirits  (that  is,  divine  help  to  obtain  eternal  sal¬ 
vation)  flow  into  us,  who  are  the  members  of  his 
mystical  body;  and  that  the  same  plenitude  is  in 
Mary,  a.s  in  the  neck,  through  which  these  vital 
spirits  pass  to  the  members.  The  same  idea  is 
confirmed  by  St.  Bernardine  of  Sienna,  who  ex¬ 
plains  it  more  clearly,  saying  “  that  all  graces  of 
the  spiritual  life  that  descend  from  Christ,  their 
head,  to  the  faithful,  who  are  his  mystical  body, 
are  transmitted  through  the  instrumentality  of 
Mary." 

The  same  St.  Bernardine  endeavors  to  assign 
a  reason  for  this  when  he  says  “  that  as  God  was 
pleased  to  dwell  in  the  womb  of  this  holy  Virgin, 
she  acquired,  so  to  speak,  a  kind  of  jurisdiction 
over  all  graces;  for  when  Jesus  Christ  issued 
forth  from  her  most  sacred  womb,  all  the  streams 
of  divine  gifts  flowed  from  her  as  from  a  celestial 
ocean/7  Elsewhere,  repeating  the  same  idea  in 
more  distinct  terms,  he  asserts  that  “  from  the 
moment  that  this  Virgin  Mother  conceived  the 
divine  Word  in  her  womb,  she  acquired  a  special 
jurisdiction,  so  to  say,  over  all  the  gifts  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  so  that  no  creature  has  since  re- 
ceived  any  grace  from  God  otherwise  than  through 
the  hands  of  Mary.” 


96  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

Father  Orasset,  in  a  commentary  on  a  passage 
of  Jeremias,  in  which  the  prophet,  speaking  of 
the  Incarnation  of  the  Eternal  Word,  and  of 
Mary  his  Mother,  says  that  a  woman  shall  compass 
a  man  (Jer.  xxxi.  22),  remarks  that  “  as  no  line 
can  be  drawn  from  the  centre  of  a  circle  without 
passing  by  the  circumference,  so  no  grace  pro¬ 
ceeds  from  Jesns,  who  is  the  centre  of  every  good 
thing,  without  passing  by  Mary,  who  compassed 
him  when  she  received  him  into  her  womb.” 

St.  Bernardine  says  that  for  this  reason  ■“  all 
gifts,  all  virtues,  and  all  graces  are  dispensed  by 
the  hands  of  Mary  to  whomsoever,  when,  and  as 
she  pleases.”  Richard,  of  St.  Laurence  also  as¬ 
serts  “  that  God  wills  that  whatever  good  things 
he  bestows  on  his  creatures  should  pass  through 
the  hands  of  Marv.”  And  therefore  the  Yener- 

«y 

able  Abbot  of  Cedes  exhorts  all  to  have  recourse 
to  “  this  treasury  of  graces,”  for  so  he  calls  her, 
for  the  world  and  the  whole  human  race  have  to 
receive  every  good  that  can  be  hoped  for  through 
her  alone.  “Address  yourselves  to  the  Blessed 
Virgin,”  he  says;  “  for  by  her,  and  in  her,  and 
with  her,  and  from  her,  the  world  receives,  and 
is  to  receive,  every  good.” 

It  must  now  be  evident  to  all  that  when  these 
saints  and  authors  tell  us  in  such  terms  that  all 
graces  come  to  us  through  Mary,  they  do  not 


Mary ,  our  Mediatress. 


97 


simply  mean  to  say  that  we  “  received  Jesus 
Christ,  the  source  of  every  good,  through  Mary,” 
as  the  before-named  writer  pretends;  hut  that 
they  assure  us  that  God,  who  gave  us  Jesus 
Christ,  wills  that  all  graces  that  have  been,  that 
are,  and  will  be  dispensed  to  men  to  the  end  of 
the  world  through  the  merits  of  Christ  should 
he  dispensed  by  the  hands  and  through  the  inter¬ 
cession  of  Mary. 

And  thus  Father  Suarez  concludes  that  it  is 
the  sentiment  of  the  universal  Church  “  that  the 
intercession  and  prayers  of  Mary  are,  above  those 
of  all  others,  not  only  useful  hut  necessary/7 
Necessary  in  accordance  with  what  we  have 
already  said,  not  with  an  absolute  necessity — for 
the  mediation  of  Jesus  Christ  alone  is  absolutely 
necessary — but  with  a  moral  necessity;  for  the 
Church  believes  with  St.  Bernard  that  God  has 
determined  that  no  grace  shall  he  granted  other¬ 
wise  than  by  the  hands  of  Mary.  “  God  wills,77 
says  the  saint,  “  that  we  should  have  nothing  that 
has  not  passed  through  the  hands  of  Mary; 77  and 
before  St.  Bernard,  St.  Ildephonsus  asserted  the 
same  thing,  addressing  the  Blessed  Virgin  in  the 
following  terms:  “  0  Mary,  God  has  decided  on 
committing  all  good  gifts  that  he  has  provided 
for  men  to  thy  hands,  and  therefore  he  has  in¬ 
trusted  all  treasures  and  riches  of  grace  to  thee.77 


98 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


And  therefore  St.  Peter  Damian  remarks  “  that 
God  would  not  become  man  without  the  consent 
of  Mary;  in  the  first  place  that  we  might  feel 
ourselves  under  great  obligations  to  her,  and  in 
the  second  that  we  might  understand  that  the 
salvation  of  all  is  left  to  the  care  of  this  Blessed 
Virgin.” 

St.  Bonaventure,  in  a  sermon  on  the  words  of 
St.  Matthew,  They  found  the  child ,  with  Mary  his 
Mother  (Matt.  ii.  2),  reminds  us  that  if  we  wish 
to  find  Jesus  we  must  go  to  Mary.  We  may, 
then,  conclude  that  in  vain  shall  we  seek  for 
Jesus  unless  we  endeavor  to  find  him  with  Mary. 


Example. 

The  Blessed  Hermann  of  the  Order  of  Premon- 
stratensians,  who  because  of  his  admirable  devotion 
to  Mary  was  called  Joseph,  was  wont  as  a  child  to 
leave  his  playmates  and  spend  hours  before  an  image 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  her  divine  Child.  He 
called  Mary  his  good  Mother  and  brought  her  an 
apple  one  day  to  give  to  the  Child  Jesus.  His  child¬ 
ish  trust  and  simple  faith  won  for  him  the  happiness 
of  having  Mary  really  address  him.  Through  her 
assistance  he  acquired  the  noble  virtues  which  we 
admire  so  much  in  his  life. 

St.  Stanislaus  Kostka  chose  Mary  to  be  his 
Mother  when  he  was  but  a  tender  child,  and  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death  he  was  distinguished  by  his  devo¬ 
tion  to  Mary.  Day  and  night  he  carried  his' rosary 
with  him.  Whenever  possible  he  tried  to  win  others 
to  devotion  to  the  Blessed  Mother.  At  the  begin- 


Mary ,  our  Mediatress. 


99 


ning  of  August,  in  the  year  1568,  a  profound  desire 
to  die  filled  him,  particularly  when  contemplating 
how  joyfully  the  Feast  of  the  Assumption  must  be 
celebrated  in  heaven.  Filled  with  this  desire  he 
prayed  most  earnestly  to  be  permitted  to  be  in  heaven 
on  that  day.  As  St.  Laurence  was  his  patron  for 
August,  he  wrote  a  letter  expressing  his  desire  to 
the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  then  received  communion 
on  the  feast  of  the  saint,  August  10th,  and  entreated 
him  to  make  the  contents  of  the  letter  known  to  the 
Blessed  Virgin;  and  behold  on  the  evening  of  the 
same  day  he  became  ill  and  died  between  three  and 
four  o’clock  on  the  morning  of  the  15th,  and  was 
vouchsafed  to  participate  with  the  angels  in  the  joy 
of  the  glorious  Assumption.  Though  he  was  only 
nineteen  years  old,  he  had  yet  attained  great  sanc¬ 
tity. 

When  St.  Teresa  was  but  twelve  years  old  her 
mother  died.  Realizing  in  a  measure  her  great  loss 
she  went  sorrowfully  to  a  picture  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin  and  entreated  her  with  tears  in  her  eyes  to  be 
her  mother  now.  She  did  this  in  her  childish  sim¬ 
plicity,  but,  as  she  tells  us  herself,  she  never  after 
invoked  the  aid  of  Mary  without  evident  answer 
to  her  prayer,  and  at  last  the  Blessed  Virgin  con¬ 
verted  her  and  took  her  to  herself — that  is  the 
Blessed  Virgin  obtained  for  her  the  grace  of  the  re¬ 
ligious  vocation  and  raised  her  to'  the  highest 
heights  of  holiness.  (Month  of  Mary,  of  P.  Francis 
Lalomia,  S.J.) 

Prayer  of  St.  Peter  Damian. 

Holy  Virgin,  Mother  of  God,  succor  those  who 
implore  thy  aid,  O  turn  towards  us,  turn  to  us 
in  thy  love.  1  know,  O  my  Lady,  that  thou  art  all 
benign,  and  that  thou  lovest  us  with  a  love  that  can 


100  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

be  surpassed  by  no  other  love.  How  often  dost  thou 
not  appease  the  wrath  of  our  Judge,  when  he  is  on 
the  point  of  chastising  us  ?  All  the  treasures  of  the 
mercies  of  God  are  in  thy  hands.  Ah,  never  cease 
to  benefit  us.  Thou  only  seekest  occasion  to  save  all 
the  wretched  and  to  shower  thy  mercies  upon  them; 
for  thy  glory  is  increased  when  by  thy  means  peni¬ 
tents  are  forgiven  and  thus  reach  heaven.  Turn, 
then,  towards  us,  that  we  also  may  be  able  to  go  and 
see  thee  in  heaven;  for  the  greatest  glory  we  can 
have  will  be,  after  seeing  God,  to  see  thee,  to  love 
thee,  and  be  under  thy  protection.  Be  pleased,  then, 
to  grant  our  prayer;  for  thy  beloved  Son  desires 
to  honor  thee  by  denying  thee  nothing  that  thou 
askest. 


The  same  Subject  continued. 

St.  Bernard  says  “  that  as  a  man  and  a  woman 
cooperated  in  our  ruin,  so  it  was  proper  that  an¬ 
other  man  and  another  woman  should  cooperate 
in  our  redemption,  and  these  two  were  Jesus  and 
his  Mother  Mary.”  “  There  is  no  doubt,”  says  the 
I  saint,  “  that  Jesus  Christ  alone  was  more  than 
sufficient  to  redeem  ns;  but  it  was  more  becoming 
that  both  sexes  should  cooperate  in  the  reparation 
of  an  evil  in  causing  which  both  had  shared.”  This 
is  confirmed  by  St.  Anselm,  who  says  “  that  al¬ 
though  God  could  create  the  world  out  of  nothing, 
yet,  when  it  was  lost  by  sin,  he  would  not  repair 
the  evil  without  the  cooperation  of  Mary.” 


Mary ,  our  Mediatress. 


101 


Suarez  says  “  that  Mary  cooperated  in  our  salva¬ 
tion  in  three  ways:  first,  by  having  merited  by  a 
merit  of  congruity  the  Incarnation  of  the  Word; 
secondly,  by  having  continually  prayed  for  us 
whilst  she  was  living  in  this  world;  thirdly,  by 
having  willingly  sacrificed  the  life  of  her  Son  to 
God.”  For  this  reason  Our  Lord  has  justly  decreed 
that  as  Mary  cooperated  in  the  salvation  of  man  j 
with  so  much  love,  and  at  the  same  time  gave  such 
glory  to  God,  so  all  men  through  her  intercession 
are  to  obtain  their  salvation. 

And  as  we  have  access  to  the  Eternal  Father, 

J 

says  St.  Bernard,  only  through  Jesus  Christ,  so 
have  we  access  to  Jesus  Christ  only  through  Mary: 

“  By  thee  we  have  access  to  the  Son,  0  blessed 
finder  of  grace,  bearer  of  life,  and  mother  of  salva¬ 
tion,  that  we  may  receive  him  by  thee,  who 
through  thee  was  given  to  us.”  This  is  the  reason 
given  by  the  saint  why  Our  Lord  has  determined 
that  all  shall  be  saved  by  the  intercession  of  Mary; 
and  therefore  he  calls  her  the  Mother  of  grace 
and  of  our  salvation. 

“  Then,”  asks  St.  Germanus,  “  what  will  become 
of  us — what  hope  can  we  have  of  salvation — if 
thou  dost  abandon  us,  0  Mary,  who  art  the  life 
of  Christians?” 

Jesus  Christ  says  that  no  one  can  find  him 
unless  the  Eternal  Father  first  draws  him  by  the 


102 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


means  of  divine  grace:  No  one  comes  to  me  unless 
my  Father  draws  him.  (John  vi.  44.)  Thus  also 
does  Jesus  address  his  Mother,  says  Richard  of  St. 
Laurence:  “  No  one  comes  to  me  unless  my 
Mother  first  of  all  draws  him  by  her  prayers.” 
Jesus  was  the  fruit  of  Mary,  as  St.  Elizabeth  told 
her:  “  Blessed  art  thou  amongst  women ,  and  blessed 
is  the  fruit  of  thy  womb.”  (Luke  i.  42.)  Whoever, 
therefore,  desires  the  fruit  must  go  to  the  tree; 
whoever  desires  Jesus  must  go  to  Mary;  and 
whoever  finds  Mary  will  most  certainly  find 
Jesus. 

When  St.  Elizabeth  saw  that  the  most  blessed 
Virgin  had  come  to  visit  her  in  her  own  house,  not 
knowing  how  to  thank  her,  and  filled  with  humil¬ 
ity,  she  exclaimed:  And  whence  is  this  to  me,  that 
the  Mother  of  my  Lord  should  visit  me  f  (lb.  43.) 
But  how  could  this  be?  we  may  ask.  Did  not  St. 
Elizabeth  already  know  that  not  only  Mary,  but 
also  Jesus,  had  entered  her  house?  Why  then 
does  she  say  that  she  is  unworthy  to  receive  the 
Mother,  and  not  rather  -that  she  is  unworthy  to 
receive  the  Son,  who  had  come  to  visit  her?  Ah, 
yes,  it  was  that  the  saint  knew  full  well  that 
when  Mary  comes  she  brings  Jesus,  and  there¬ 
fore  it  was  sufficient  to  thank  the  Mother  without 
naming  the  Son. 

Therefore  Richard  of  St.  Laurence  had  good 


Mary,  our  Mediatress. 


103 


reason  for  saying  that  “  as  we  should  fall  into  the 
abyss  if  the  ground  were  withdrawn  from  under 
our  feet,  so  does  a  soul  deprived  of  the  succor  of 
Mary  first  fall  into  sin,  and  then  into  hell.”  St. 
Bonaventure  says  that  “  God  will  not  save  us 
without  the  intercession  of  Mary;  ”  and  that  “  as 
a  child  cannot  live  without  a  nurse  to  suckle  it,  so 
no  one  can  be  saved  without  the  protection  of 
Mary.”  Therefore  he  exhorts  us  “  to  thirst  after 
devotion  to  her,  to  preserve  it  with  care,  and  never 
to  abandon  it  until  we  have  received  her  maternal 
blessing  in  heaven.”  Let  us,  then,  in  the  words  of 
St.  Bernard,  “  endeavor  to  venerate  this  divine 
Mother  with  the  whole  affection  of  our  hearts;  for 
such  is  the  will  of  God,  who  is  pleased  that  we 
should  receive  every  good  thing  from  her  hand.” 
And  therefore  the  saint  exhorts  us,  whenever  we 
desire  or  ask  for  any  grace,  to  recommend  our¬ 
selves  to  Mary,  and  to  he  assured  that  we  shall 
receive  it  by  her  means;  for  he  says,  If  thou  dost 
not  deserve  the  favor  from  God,  Mary,  who  will 
ask  it  for  thee,  will  deserve  to  receive  it;  “  because 
thou  wast  unworthy  of  the  gift,  it  was  bestowed 
on  Mary,  that  through  her  thou  mightest  receive 
all  that  thou  hast.”  The  saint  then  advises  us  to 
recommend  all  that  we  offer  to  God  to  the  care  of 
Mary,  be  they  good  works  or  prayers,  if  we  wish 
Our  Lord  to  accept  them.  “  Whatever  thou  mayest 


104 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


offer  to  God,  be  sure  to  recommend  it  to  Mary,  in 
order  not  to  meet  with  a  repulse.” 


Example. 

St.  Peter  Damian  lived  at  a  time  of  which  it  might 
be  said  with  truth  that  all  flesh  was  seeking  its  own 
destruction.  Moved  by  divine  inspiration  to  oppose 
this  sad  tendency,  St.  Peter  Damian  tried  to  restore 
faith  in  the  help  of  Mary.  With  the  sanction  of 
the  Holy  Father,  he  introduced  the  pious  custom  of 
praying  especially  to  Mary  at  different  times  of  the 
day.  A  wonderful  thing  happened  in  this  con¬ 
nection,  and  is  related  by  St.  Damian,  who  was  him¬ 
self  one  of  the  eye-witnesses.  The  monks  of'  the 
monastery  at  Gonurgei  had  been  in  the  habit  of 
saying  these  prayers  to  Mary  for  about  three  years, 
when  one  of  them  named  Gozon,  who  concealed  an 
unreligious  mind  under  a  religious  habit,  began 
to  find  fault  with  these  devotions,  saying  that  it  was 
enough  to  read  the  office  ordered  by  St.  Benedict 
without  adding  to  it  prayers  invented  by  people 
who  were  trying  to  win  the  reputation  of  holiness  at 
the  expense  of  others.  This  speech  made  such  an 
impression  on  his  brethren  that  they  decided  to  drop 
the  devotions  to  Mary.  But  wonderful  are  the  de¬ 
crees  of  God!  No  sooner  had  they  come  to  this  deci¬ 
sion  than  they  were  assailed  by  troubles  on  all  sides. 
Soldiers  and  robbers  seized  some  of  their  lands. 
Some  of  their  buildings  burned  down,  people  were 
assassinated  on  their  lands,  and  at  last  they  them¬ 
selves  began  to  quarrel  and  quibble.  So  much  mis¬ 
ery  opened  their  eyes,  and  they  sent  for  St.  Damian 
and  asked  counsel  of  him.  He  at  once  told  them  to 
resume  their  suspended  devotion  to  the  Blessed 
Virgin.  Soon  their  miseries  vanished  and  peace, 


Mary ,  our  Mediatress. 


105 


prosperity,  and  unity  returned  to  their  house.  They 
had  learned  how  well  it  is  to  live  under  the  pro¬ 
tection  of  the  Queen  of  heaven  and  how  much  sor¬ 
row  awaits  those  who  leave  it. 

0 

Prayer. 

O  Queen  and  Mother  of  mercy,  who  dispensest 
graces  to  all  who  have  recourse  to  thee  with  so  much 
liberality,  because  thou  art  a  Queen,  and  with  so 
much  love,  because  thou  art  our  most  loving  Mother; 
to  thee  do  I,  who  am  so  devoid  of  merit  and  virtue, 
and  so  loaded  with  debts  to  the  divine  justice,  recom¬ 
mend  myself  this  day.  O  Mary,  thou  holdest  the 
keys  of  all  the  divine  mercies;  forget  not  my  mis¬ 
eries,  and  leave  me  not  in  my  poverty.  Thou  art  so 
liberal  with  all,  and  givest  more  than  thou  art  asked 
for,  O  be  thus  liberal  with  me.  O  Lady,  protect  me ; 
this  is  all  that  I  ask  of  thee.  If  thou  protectest  me, 
I  fear  nothing.  I  fear  not  the  evil  spirits ;  for  thou 
art  more  powerful  than  all  of  them.  I  fear  not  my 
sins;  for  thou  by  one  word  canst  obtain  their  full 
pardon  from  God.  And  if  I  have  thy  favor,  I  do 
not  even  fear  an  angry  God;  for  a  single  prayer  of 
'thine  will  appease  him.  In  fine,  if  thou  protectest 
me,  I  hope  all ;  for  thou  art  all-powerful.  O  Mother 
of  mercy,  I  know  that  thou  takest  pleasure  and  dost 
glory  in  helping  the  most  miserable,  and,  provided 
they  are  not  obstinate,  that  thou  canst  help  them.  I 
am  a  sinner,  but  am  not  obstinate ;  I  desire  to  change 
my  life.  Thou  canst,  then,  help  me ;  O  help  me  and 
save  me.  I  now  place  myself  entirely  in  thy  hands. 
Tell  me  what  I  must  do  in  order  to  please  God,  and 
I  am  ready  for  all,  and  hope  to  do  all  with  thy  help, 
O  Mary — Mary  my  Mother,  my  light,  my  consola¬ 
tion,  my  refuge,  my  hope.  Amen,  amen,  amen. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Eia  ergo,  Advocata  nostra! 


0  GRACIOUS  ADVOCATE. 

Mary,  our  Advocate. 

I. 

Mary  is  an  Advocate  who  is  able  to  save  all. 

So  great  is  the  authority  that  mothers  possess 
over  their  sons,  that  even  if  they  are  monarchs, 
and  have  absolute  dominion  over  every  person  in 
their  kingdom,  yet  never  can  mothers  become  the 
subjects  of  their  sons.  It  is  true  that  Jesus  now 
in  heaven  sits  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Father,  that 
is,  as  St.  Thomas  explains  it,  even  as  man,  on  ac¬ 
count  of  the  hypostatical  union  with  the  Person  of 
the  divine  Word.  He  has  supreme  dominion  over 
all,  and  also  over  Mary;  it  will  nevertheless  he 
always  true  that  for  a  time  when  he  was  living  in 
this  world  he  was  pleased  to  humble  himself  and 
to  be  subject  to  Mary,  as  we  are  told  by  St.  Luke: 
A  nd  he  was  subject  to  them.  (Luke  ii.  51.) 

And  still  more,  says  St.  Ambrose,  Jesus  Christ 
having  deigned  to  make  Mary  his  Mother,  inas- 

106 


Mary ,  our  Advocate. 


107 


much  as  he  was  her  Son,  he  was  truly  obliged  to 
obey  her.  And  for  this  reason,  says  Richard  of 
St.  Laurence,  “  of  other  saints  we  say  that  they  are 
with  God;  but  of  Mary  alone  can  it  be  said  that 
she  was  so  far  favored  as  to  be  not  only  herself 
submissive  to  the  will  of  God,  but  even  that  God 
was  subject  to  her  will.”  And  whereas  of  all 
other  virgins,  remarks  the  same  author,  we  must 
say  that  they  follow  the  Lamb  whithersoever  he  goeth 
(Apoc.  xiv.  4),  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  we 
j  can  say  that  the  Lamb  followed  her,  having  become 
1  subject  to  her. 

And  here  we  sav,  that  although  Mary,  now  in 
heaven,  can  no  longer  command  her  Son,  neverthe¬ 
less  her  prayers  are  always  the  prayers  of  a 
Mother,  and  consequently  most  powerful  to  obtain 
whatever  she  asks.  “  Mary,”  says  St.  Bonaventure, 
“  has  this  great  privilege,  that  with  her  Son  she 
above  all  the  saints  is  most  powerful  to  obtain 
whatever  she  wills.”  And  why?  Precisely  for  the 
reason  on  which  we  have  already  touched,  and 
which  we  shall  later  on  again  examine  at  greater 
length,  because  they  are  the  prayers  of  a  mother. 

Therefore,  says  St.  Peter  Damian,  the  Blessed 
Virgin  can  do  whatever  she  pleases  both  in  heaven 
and  on  earth.  She  is  able  to  raise  even  those  who 
are  in  despair  to  confidence;  and  he  addresses  her 
in  these  words:  “  All  power  is  given  to  thee  in 


108  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

heaven  and  on  earth,  and  nothing  is  impossible  to 
thee  who  canst  raise  those  who  are  in  despair  to 
the  hope  of  salvation/’  And  then  he  adds  that 
“  when  the  Mother  goes  to  seek  a  favor  for  us  from 
Jesus  Christ,  her  Son  esteems  her  prayers  so 
greatly,  and  is  so  desirous  to  satisfy  her,  that  when 
she  prays  it  seems  as  if  she  rather  commanded  than 
prayed,  and  was  rather  a  queen  than  a  handmaid.” 
Jesus  is  pleased  thus  to  honor  his  beloved  Mother 
who  honored  him  so  much  during  her  life  by 
immediately  granting  all  that  she  asks  or  desires. 
This  is  beautifully  confirmed  by  St.  Germanus, 
who  addressing  our  blessed  Ladv  savs:  “  Thou  art 
the  Mother  of  God,  and  all-powerful  to  save  sin¬ 
ners,  and  with  God  thou  needest  no  other  recom¬ 
mendation;  for  thou  art  the  Mother  of  true  life.” 

“  At  the  command  of  Mary,  all  obey,  even  God.” 
St.  Bernardine  fears  not  to  utter  this  sentence; 
meaning,  indeed,  to  say  that  God  grants  the 
prayers  of  Mary  as  if  they  were  commands.  And 
hence  St.  Anselm  addressing  Mary  says:  “  Our 
Lord,  0  most  holy  Virgin,  has  exalted  thee  to  such 
a  degree  that  by  his  favor  all  things  that  are  pos¬ 
sible  to  him  should  be  possible  to  thee.”  “  For 
thy  protection  is  omnipotent,  0  Mary,”  says  Cos- 
mas  of  Jerusalem.  “  Yes,  Mary  is  omnipotent,” 
repeats  Richard  of  St.  Laurence;  “  for  the  queen 
by  every  law  enjoys  the  same  privileges  as  the  king. 


Mary,  our  Advocate. 


109 


And  as/’  he  adds,  “  the  power  of  the  son  and.  that 
of  the  mother  is  the  same,  a  mother  is  made  om¬ 
nipotent  by  an  omnipotent  son.’’  “  And  thus,” 
says  St.  Antoninus,  “  God  has  placed  the  whole 
Church,  not  only  under  the  patronage,  but  even 
under  the  dominion  of  Mary.” 

Since  the  Mother,  then,  should  have  the  same 
power  as  the  Son,  rightly  has  Jesus,  who  is  om¬ 
nipotent,  made  Mary  also  omnipotent;  though,  of 
course,  it  is  always  true  that  where  the  Son  is 
omnipotent  by  nature,  the  Mother  is  only  so  by 
grace.  But  that  she  is  so  is  evident  from  the  fact 
that  whatever  the  Mother  asks  for,  the  Son  never 
denies  her.  Mary,  then,  is  called  omnipotent  in 
the  sense  in  which  it  can  be  understood  of  a 
creature  who  is  incapable  of  a  divine  attribute. 
She  is  omnipotent,  because  by  her  prayers  she 
obtains  whatever  she  wills. 

With  good  reason,  then,  0  great  advocate,  does 
St.  Bernard  say,  “  Thou  wiliest,  and  all  things  are 
done.”  And  St.  Anselm:  “  Whatever  thou,  0 
Virgin,  wiliest  can  never  be  otherwise  than  accom¬ 
plished.”  Thou  wiliest,  and  all  is  done.  If  thou 
art  pleased  to  raise  a  sinner  from  the  lowest  abyss 
of  misery  to  the  highest  degree  of  sanctity,  thou 
canst  do  it. 

Thus  St.  Peter  Damian,  reflecting  on  the  great 
power  of  Mary,  and  begging  her  to  take  compas- 


110 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


sion  on  us,  addresses  her,  saying:  “  0  let  thy 
nature  move  thee,  let  thy  pcwer  move  thee; 
for  the  more  thou  art  powerful,  the  greater 
should  thy  mercy  be.”  0  Mary,  our  own 
beloved  advocate,  since  thou  hast  so  compas- 

• 

sionate  a  heart  that  thou  canst  not  even  see  the 
wretched  without  being  moved  to  pity,  and  since, 
at  the  same  time,  thou  hast  so  great  power  with 
God  that  thou  canst  save  all  whom  thou  dost  pro¬ 
tect,  disdain  not  to  undertake  the  cause  of  us 
poor  miserable  creatures  who  place  all  our  hope  in 
thee.  If  our  prayers  cannot  move  thee,  at  least  let 
thine  own  benign  heart  do  so;  or  at  least  let  thy 
power  do  so,  since  God  has  enriched  thee  with  so 
great  power,  in  order  that  the  richer  thou  art  in 
power  to  help  us,  the  more  merciful  thou  mayest 
be  in  the  will  to  assist  us.  But  St.  Bernard  reas¬ 
sures  us  on  this  point:  for  he  says  that  Mary  is  as 
immensely  rich  in  mercy  as  she  is  in  power;  and 
that,  as  her  charity  is  most  powerful,  so  also  it  is 
most  clement  and  compassionate,  and  its  effects 
continually  prove  it  to  be  so.  He  thus  expresses 
himself:  “The  most  powerful  and  merciful  charity 
of  the  Mother  of  God  abounds  in  tender  compas¬ 
sion  and  in  effectual  succor:  it  is  equally  rich  in 
both.” 

From  the  time  that  Mary  came  into  the  world, 
her  only  thought,  after  seeking  the  glory  of  God, 


Mary ,  our  Advocate. 


Ill 


was  to  succor  the  miserable.  And  even  then  she 
enjoyed  the  privilege  of  obtaining  whatever  she 
asked.  This  we  know  from  what  occurred  at  the 

9 

marriage  feast  of  Cana  in  Galilee.  When  the  wine 
failed,  the  most  blessed  Virgin,  being  moved  to 
compassion  at  the  sight  of  the  affliction  and  shame 
of  the  bride  and  bridegroom,  asked  her  Son  to 
relieve  them  by  a  miracle,  telling  him  that 
they  had  no  wine.  Jesus  answered:  Woman,  what 
is  that  to  thee  and  me?  My  hour  is  not  yet  come. 
(John  ii.  3.)  And  here  remark  that  although 
Our  Lord  seemed  to  refuse  his  Mother  the 
favor  she  asked,  and  said,  What  is  it  to  thee, 

0  woman,  and  to  me,  if  the  wine  has  failed? 
This  is  not  the  time  for  me  to  work  a  miracle; 
the  time  will  be  when  I  begin  to  preach,  and 
when  miracles  will  be  required  to  confirm  my 
doctrines — yet  Mary,  as  if  the  favor  had  already 
been  granted,  desired  those  in  attendance  to 
fill  the  jars  with  water,  for  they  would  be  imme¬ 
diately  satisfied.  And  so  it  was;  for  Jesus,  to  ’ 
content  his  Mother,  changed  the  water  into  the 
best  wine.  For  though,  generally  speaking,  the 
time  for  miracles  was  not  come,  yet  from  all  eter- 
nity  God  had  determined  by  another  decree  that 
nothing  that  she  asked  should  ever  be  refused 
to  the  divine  Mother.  And  therefore  Mary,  who 
well  knew  her  privilege,  although  her  Son  seemed 


112 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Eegina. 


to  have  refused  her  the  favor,  yet  told  them  to  fill 
the  jars  with  water,  as  if  her  request  had  already 
been  granted.  That  is  the  sense  in  which  St.  John 
Chrysostom  understood  it;  for,  explaining  these 
words  of  Our  Lord,  Woman,  what  is  it  to  thee  and 
me?  he  says  that  “  though  Jesus  answered  thus, 
yet  in  honor  of  his  Mother  he  obeyed  her  wish.” 
This  is  confirmed  by  St.  Thomas,  who  says  that  by 
the  words,  My  hour  is  not  yet  come,  Jesus  Christ 
intended  to  show  that  had  the  request  come  from 
any  other  he  would  not  then  have  complied  with 
it;  hut  because  it  was  addressed  to  him  by  his 
Mother  he  could  not  refuse  it.  St.  Cyril  and  St. 
Jerome,  quoted  by  Barrada,  say  the  same  thing. 
Also  Gandavensis,  on  the  foregoing  passage  of  St. 
John,  says  that  “  to  honor  his  Mother,  Our  Lord 
anticipated  the  time  for  working  miracles.” 

In  fine,  it  is  certain  that  no  creature  can  obtain 
so  many  mercies  for  us  as  this  tender  advocate, 
who  is  thus  honored  by  God,  not  only  as  his 
beloved  handmaid,  but  also  as  his  true  Mother. 
Valerius  Maximus  relates  that  when  Coriolanus 
was  besieging  Rome,  the  prayers  of  his  friends  and 
all  the  citizens  were  insufficient  to  make  him 
desist;  but  as  soon  as  he  beheld  his  mother 
Veturia  imploring  him,  he  could  no  longer  refuse, 
and  immediately  raised  the  siege.  But  the  prayers 
of  Mary  with  Jesus  are  as  much  more  powerful 


Mary ,  our  Advocate. 


113 


than  those  of  Veturia  as  the  love  and  gratitude  of 
this  Son  for  his  most  dear  Mother  are  greater. 

St.  Antoninus  says  that  “  the  prayers  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin,  being  the  prayers  of  a  mother,, 
have  in  them  something  of  a  command;  so  that  it 
is  impossible  that  she  should  not  obtain  what  she 
asks.”  “  And  perchance,”  says  St.  Augustine,  “  it 
is  unworthy  of  the  benignity  of  that  Lord  to  be 
thus  jealous  of  the  honor  of  his  Mother,  who 
declares  that  he  came  into  the  world,  not  to  break 
but  to  observe  the  law;  but  this  law  commands  us 
to  honor  our  parents.”  St.  George,  Archbishop  of 
Nicomedia,  says  that  Jesus  Christ,  even  as  it  were 
to  satisfy  an  obligation  under  which  he  placed 
himself  towards  his  Mother,  when  she  consented  to 
give  him  his  human  nature,  grants  all  she  asks: 
“  the  Son,  as  if  paying  a  debt,  grants  all  thy 
petitions.” 

Therefore  St.  Augustine  says  “  that  Mary,  hav¬ 
ing  merited  to  give  flesh  to  the  divine  Word,  and 
thus  supply  the  price  of  our  redemption  that  we 
might  be  delivered  from  eternal  death;  therefore- 
is  she  more  powerful  than  all  others  to  help  us  to 
gain  eternal  life.”  St.  Theophilus,  Bishop  of 
Alexandria  in  the  time  of  St.  Jerome,  left  in  writ¬ 
ing  the  following  words:  “  The  prayers  of  his 
Mother  are  a  pleasure  to  the  Son,  because  he 
desires  to  grant  all  that  is  granted  on  her  account. 


114  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

and  thus  recompense  her  for  the  favor  she  did  him 
in  giving  him  his  body/7  St.  John  Damascene, 
.addressing  the  Blessed  Virgin,  says,  “  Thou,  0 
Mary,  being  Mother  of  the  most  high  God,  canst 
,save  all  by  thy  prayers,  which  are  increased  in 
value  by  the  maternal  authority/7 

Let  us  conclude  with  St.  Bonaventure,  who,  con¬ 
sidering  the  great  benefit  conferred  on  us  by  Our 
Lord  in  giving  us  Mary  for  our  advocate,  thus 
addresses  her:  “  0  truly  immense  and  admirable 
goodness  of  our  God,  which  has  been  pleased  to 
grant  thee,  0  sovereign  Mother,  to  us  miserable 
sinners  for  our  advocate,  in  order  that  thou,  by  thy 
powerful  intercession,  mayest  obtain  all  that  thou 
pleasest  for  us.77  “  0  wonderful  mercy  of  our 

God,77  continues  the  same  saint,  “  who  in  order 
that  we  might  not  fly  on  account  of  the  sentence 
that  might  be  pronounced  against  us,  has  given  us 
his  own  Mother  and  the  patroness  of  graces  to  be 
our  advocate.77 


Example. 

In  the  year  1683  the  Turkish  hosts  forced  their 
way  through  Hungary  to  Vienna,  and  were  besieg¬ 
ing  that  city  with  an  army  of  two  hundred  thousand 
men.  When  Pope  Innocent  XI.  heard  of  this  ter¬ 
rible  danger  to  all  Christendom,  he  proclaimed  a 
general  jubilee,  and  granted  a  plenary  indulgence 
to  all  who  would  come  to  the  relief  of  Emperor 
Leopold  I.,  by  prayers,  money,  arms,  or  service.  He 


Mary ,  our  Advocate. 


115 


entreated  tlie  faithful  to  do  penance  and  reform, 
and  exhorted  them  particularly  to  have  recourse  to 
the  intercession  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  whose 
prayers  are  all-powerful  with  her  Son. 

The  siege  lasted  for  sixty  days,  and  it  seemed  im¬ 
possible  to  hold  the  city  any  longer.  But  when  the 
need  is  greatest,  the  help  of  God  is  nearest.  John 
Sobieski,  the  king  of  Poland,  was  hurrying  in  forced 
marches  to  join  Duke  Charles  of  Lorraine,  who  was 
the  commander-in-chief  of  the  allied  armies.  Al¬ 
though  the  Turks  exceeded  in  numbers  the  Christian 
forces,  yet  the  Christian  leaders  depended  upon  the 
prayers  of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  The  Polish  king 
called  upon  the  soldiers  to  have  faith  in  Mary,  and 
with  the  cry,  “  Jesus  and  Mary,”  the  Christians  fell 
upon  the  enemy.  Confusion  came  over  the  Turks 
and  they  took  to  flight  in  wild  disorder.  The  camp 
equipment,  artillery,  and  munition  of  the  enemy,  to 
say  nothing  of  provisions  and  treasures,  were  all 
taken  by  the  Christians.  This  grand  victory  was 
unanimously  ascribed  to  the  intercession  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin.  In  memory  of  the  wonderful  event 
Pope  Innocent  XI.  ordered  that  the  feast  of  the 
name  of  Mary  should  be  kept  every  year  by  all 
Christendom  on  the  Sunday  after  the  Feast  of  her 
Xativity. 

Prayer  of  St.  Ephrem. 

O  immaculate  and  wholly  pure  Virgin  Mary, 
Mother  of  God,  Queen  of  the  world,  hope  of  those 
who  are  in  despair;  thou  art  the  joy  of  the  saints; 
thou  art  the  peacemaker  between  sinners  and  God; 
thou  art  the  advocate  of  the  abandoned,  the  secure 
haven  of  those  who  are  on  the  sea  of  the  world;  thou 
art  the  consolation  of  the  world,  the  ransom  of 
slaves,  the  comfortress  of  the  afflicted,  the  salvation 
of  the  universe.  O  great  Queen,  we  take  refuge  in 


116 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


thy  protection.  “  We  have  no  confidence  but  in  thee, 
0  most  faithful  Virgin.”  After  God,  thou  art  all 
my  hope.  We  bear  the  name  of  thy  servants;  allow 
not  the  enemy  to  drag  us  to  hell.  I  salute  thee,  O 
great  mediatress  of  peace  between  men  and  God, 
Mother  of  J esus  our  Lord,  who  is  the  love  of  all  men 
and  of  God,  to  whom  be  honor  and  benediction  with 
the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  Amen. 


II. 


Mary  is  so  tender  an  Advocate  that  she  does  not  refuse 
to  defend  the  Cause  even  of  the  most  miserable. 


So  many  are  the  reasons  that  we  have  for  .loving 
this  our  most  loving  Queen,  that  if  Mary  was 
praised  throughout  the  world;  if  in  every  sermon 
Mary  alone  was  spoken  of;  if  all  men  gave  their 
lives  for  Mary;  still  all  would  be  little  in  com¬ 
parison  with  the  homage  and  gratitude  that  we 
owe  her  in  return  for  the  tender  love  she  bears  to 
men,  and  even  to  the  most  miserable  sinners  who 
preserve  the  slightest  spark  of  devotion  for  her. 
Blessed  Baymond  Jordano  says:  “  Mary,  as  our 
most  loving  advocate,  herself  offers  the  prayers  of 
her  servants  to  God,  and  especially  those  who  are 
placed  in  her  hands;  for  as  the  Son  intercedes  for 
us  with  the  Father,  so  does  she  intercede  with  the 
Son,  and  does  not  cease  to  make  interest  with 
both  for  the  great  affair  of  our  salvation,  and  to 


Mary ,  our  Advocate. 


117 


obtain  for  us  the  graces  we  ask.”  He  adds  “  that 
her  benignity  and  mercy  are  so  great  that  no  one, 
however  enormous  his  sins  may  be,  should  fear  to 
cast  himself  at  her  feet,  for  she  never  can  reject 
any  one  who  has  recourse  to  her.” 

But  should  there  by  chance  be  a  sinner  who, 
though  not  doubting  her  power,  might  doubt  the 
compassion  of  Mary,  fearing  perhaps  that  she 
might  be  unwilling  to  help  him  on  account  of  the 
greatness  of  his  sins,  let  him  take  courage  from  the 
wrords  of  St.  Bonaventure:  “  The  great,  the  special 
privilege  of  Mary  is,  that  she  is  all-powerful  with 
her  Son.”  “  But,”  adds  the  saint,  “  to  what  pur¬ 
pose  would  Mary  have  so  great  power  if  she  cared 
not  for  us?”  “  No,”  he  concludes,  “let  us  not 
doubt,  but  be  certain,  and  let  us  always  thank  Our 
Lord  and  his  divine  Mother  for  it,  that  in  propor¬ 
tion  as  her  power  with  God  exceeds  that  of  all  the 
saints,  so  is  she  in  the  same  proportion  our  most 
loving  advocate,  and  the  one  who  is  the  most 
solicitous  for  our  welfare.” 

Mary  takes  care  of  all,  even  of  sinners;  indeed 
she  glories  in  being  called  in  a  special  manner  their 
advocate.  “  Oh,  with  what  efficacy  and  love,”  says 
St.  Bernard,  “  does  this  good  advocate  interest 
herself  in  the  affair  of  our  salvation!  ”  St.  Bona¬ 
venture,  considering  the  affection  and  zeal  with 
which  Mary  intercedes  for  us  with  the  divine 


118  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

Majesty,  in  order  that  Onr  Lord  may  pardon  ns 
our  sins,  help  us  with  his  grace,  free  us  from  dan¬ 
gers,  and  relieve  us  in  our  wants,  says,  addressing 
the  Blessed  Virgin,  in  the  words  of  an  ancient 
writer:  “  We  know  that  we  have  as  it  were  but  one 
solicitous  in  heaven  for  us,  and  thou  art  this  one, 
so  greatly  does  thy  solicitude  for  us  exceed  that  of 
all  the  saints.”  That  is,  “  0  Lady,  it  is  true  that 
all  the  saints  desire  our  salvation,  and  pray  for 
us;  but  the  love,  the  tenderness  that  thou  showest 
us  in  heaven,  in  obtaining  for  us  by  thy  prayers 
so  many  mercies  from  God,  obliges  us  to  acknowl¬ 
edge  that  in  heaven  we  have  but  one  advocate,  and 
that  is  thyself;  and  that  thou  alone  art  truly 
loving  and  solicitous  for  our  welfare.” 

For  this  reason  is  Mary  called  by  St.  Bonaven- 
ture  “  the  wise  Abigail.”  This  is  the  woman  we 
read  of  in  the  first  Book  of  Kings,  who  by  her 
beautiful  supplications  knew  so  well  how  to 
appease  King  David  when  he  was  indignant  against 
Xabal;  and  indeed  so  far  as  to  induce  him  to  bless 
her,  in  gratitude  for  having  prevented  him,  hv  her 
sweet  manners,  from  avenging  himself  on  Naba.l 
with  his  own  hands.  This  is  exactly  what  Mary 
constantly  does  in  heaven,  in  favor  of  innumerable 
sinners:  by  her  tender  and  unctuous  prayers  she 
knows  so  well  how  to  appease  the  divine  justice 
that  God  himself  blesses  her  for  it,  and,  as  it  were. 


Mary,  our  Advocate. 


119' 


thanks  her  for  having  withheld  him  from  abandon¬ 
ing  and  chastising  them  as  they  deserved. 

“  There  is  no  doubt/5  says  St.  Bernard,  “  that 
Jesns  Christ  is  the  only  mediator  of  justice 
between  men  and  God;  that,  by  virtue  of  his  own 
merits  and  promises,  he  will  and  can  obtain  us 
pardon  and  the  divine  favors;  but  because  men 
acknowledge  and  fear  the  divine  Majesty,  which 
is  in  him  as  God,  for  this  reason  it  was  necessary 
to  assign  us  another  advocate,  to  whom  we  might 
have  recourse  with  less  fear  and  more  confidence,, 
and  this  advocate  is  Mary,  than  whom  we  cannot 
find  one  more  powerful  with  his  divine  majesty,  or 
one  more  merciful  towards  ourselves.'5  The  saint: 
says,  “  Christ  is  a  faithful  and  powerful  Mediator 
between  God  and  men,  but  in  him  men  fear  the' 
majesty  of  God.  A  mediator,  then,  was  needed 
with  the  mediator  himself;  nor  could  a  more 
fitting  one  be  found  than  Mary.55 

O  kJ 

“  But,"  continues  the  same  saint,  “  should  any 
one  fear  to  go  to  the  feet  of  this  most  sweet  advo¬ 
cate,  who  has  nothing  in  her  of  severity,  nothing 
terrible,  but  who  is  all  courteous,  amiable,  and 
benign,  he  would  indeed  be  offering  an  insult  to 
the  tender  compassion  of  Mary.55  And  he  adds, 
“  Bead,  and  read  again,  as  often  as  you  please,  all 
that  is  said  of  her  in  the  Gospels,  and  if  you  can 
find  the  least  trait  of  severity  recorded  of  her,. 


120  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

then  fear  to  approach  her.  But  no,  this  yon  can 
never  find;  and  therefore  go  to  her  with  a  joyful 
heart  and  she  will  save  you  by  her  intercession.7’ 

“  Be  comforted  then,  0  you  who  fear,”  will  I  say 
with  St.  Thomas  of  Villanova:  “  breathe  freely  and 
take  courage,  0  wretched  sinners;  this  great  Vir¬ 
gin,  who  is  the  Mother  of  your  God  and  Judge,  is 
also  the  advocate  of  the  whole  human  race;  fit  for 
this  office,  for  she  can  do  what  she  wills  with  God; 
most  wise,  for  she  knows  all  the  means  of  appeas¬ 
ing  him;  universal,  for  she  welcomes  all,  and 
refuses  to  defend  no  one.” 

Example. 

In  the  month  of  May,  1867,  the  Redemptorists  at 
Huete  in  Spain  made  a  novena  to  Our  Lady  of  Per¬ 
petual  Help,  whose  image  is  venerated  in  their 
church.  The  whole  city  took  part  in  this  beautiful 
devotion.  One  woman  brought  her  seven-year-old 
boy,  who  had  been  blind  for  three  months  as  a  result 
of  the  small-pox.  W ith  tears  in  her  eyes  she  knelt 
down  before  the  picture  and  said  to  the  boy :  “  Dear 
child,  pray  to  Our  Lady  of  Perpetual  Help,  that  she 
may  restore  your  eyesight.”  Then  the  child  raised 
his  hands  and  said :  “  O  Lady  of  Perpetual  Help,  I 
have  lost  my  eyes,  give  me  my  eyes  again.”  He  had 
hardly  uttered  these  words  when  he  called  out  in  a 
loud  voice :  “  Mother,  mother,  I  see  the  Blessed 

Virgin !  Oh,  how  beautiful  she  is.  I  can  see  you  too. 
I  can  see  my  hands.”  The  happy  mother  pressed 
her  child  to  her  heart,  and  the  whole  city  took  a 
pious  interest  and  delight  in  him.  (Manual  of 
Our  Lady  of  Perpetual  Help.) 


Mary ,  our  Advocate. 


121 


Prayer  of  William,  Bishop  of  Paris. 

O  Mother  of  God,  I  have  recourse  to  thee,  and  I 
call  upon  thee  not  to  reject  me;  for  the  whole  congre¬ 
gation  of  the  faithful  calls  and  proclaims  thee  the 
Mother  of  mercy.  Thou  art  that  one  who,  from 
being  so  dear  to  God,  art  always  graciously  heard; 
thy  clemency  was  never  wanting  to  any  one;  thy 
most  benign  affability  never  despised  any  sinner 
who  had  recourse  to  thee,  however  enormous  his 
crimes.  Can  it  be  falsely  or  in  vain  that  the  Church 
calls  thee  her  advocate  and  the  refuge  of  sinners? 
Never  let  it  be  said  that  my  sins  could  prevent  thee 
from  fulfilling  the  great  office  of  mercy,  which  is 
peculiarly  thine  own,  by  which  thou  art  the  advocate 
and  mediatress  of  peace,  the  only  hope  and  most 
secure  refuge  of  the  miserable.  Never  shall  it  be 
said  that  the  Mother  of  God,  who  for  the  benefit  of 
the  world  brought  forth  him  who  is  the  fountain  of 
mercy,  denied  her  mercy  to  any  sinner  who  had 
recourse  to  her.  Thine  office  is  that  of  peacemaker 
between  God  and  men;  let,  then,  the  greatness  of 
thy  compassion,  and  which  far  exceeds  my  sins, 
move  thee  to  help  me. 


III. 

Mary  is  the  Peacemaker  between  Sinners  and  God. 

Mary  wras  prefigured  by  the  dove  which  re¬ 
turned  to  Noe  in  the  Ark  with  an  olive  branch 
in  its  beak  (Gen.  viii.  2)  as  a  pledge  of  the  peace 
which  God  granted  to  men.  And  on  this  idea 
St.  Bonaventure  thus  addresses  our  blessed  Lady: 
“  Thou  art  that  most  faithful  dove;  thou  wast  a 


122  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

sure  mediatress  between  God  and  the  world,  lost 
in  a  spiritual  deluge;  thou,  by  presenting  thyself 
before  God,  hast  obtained  for  a  lost  world  peace 
and  salvation. ”  Mary,  then,  was  the  heavenly 
dove  which  brought  to  a  lost  world  the  olive- 
branch,  the  sign  of  mercy,  since  she  in  the  first 
place  gave  us  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the  source  of 
mercy;  and  then,  by  his  merits,  obtained  all 
graces  for  us. 

The  chief  office  given  to  Mary,  on  being  placed 
in  this  world,  was  to  raise  up  souls  that  had  fallen 
from  divine  grace,  and  to  reconcile  them  with 
God.  Feed  thy  goats  (Cant.  i.  7)  was  Our  Lord’s 
command  to  her  in  creating  her.  It  is  well 
known  that  sinners  are  understood  by  goats,  and 
'  that  as  at  the  last  judgment,  the  just,  under  the 
figure  of  sheep,  will  be  on  the  right  hand,  so  will 
the  goats  be  on  the  left.  “  These  goats/’  says 
the  Ahbot  William,  “  are  intrusted  to  thee,  0 
great  Mother,  that  thou  mayest  change  them  into 
sheep;  and  those  who  by  their  sins  deserve  to  be 
driven  to  the  left  will  by  thy  intercession  be 
placed  on  the  right.”  And  therefore  Our  Lord 
revealed  to  St.  Catharine  of  Sienna  “  that  he 
had  created  this  his  beloved  daughter  to  be  as  a 
most  sweet  bait  by  which  to  catch  men,  and  espe¬ 
cially  sinners,  and  draw  them  to  God.”  0,  how 
many  obstinate  sinners  does  not  this  lodestone 


Many ,  our  Advocate. 


123 

of  hearts  draw  each  day  to  God!  For  thus  did 
she  call  herself  one  day,  saying  to  St.  Bridget, 
“As  the  lodestone  attracts  iron,  so  do  I  attract 
hearts.”  Yea,  even  the  most  hardened  hearts, 
to  reconcile  them  with  God.  We  must  not  sup¬ 
pose  that  such  prodigies  are  extraordinary  events; 
they  are  every-day  occurrences. 

St.  J ohn  Chrysostom  says  “  that  another  pur¬ 
pose  for  which  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  was  made 
the  Mother  of  God  was,  that  she  might  obtain 
salvation  for  many  who,  on  account  of  their 
wicked  lives,  could  not  be  saved  according  to  the 
rigor  of  divine  justice,  but  might  be  so  with  the 
help  of  her  sweet  mercy  and  powerful  interces¬ 
sion.”  This  is  confirmed  by  St.  Anselm,  who 
says  “  that  Mary  was  raised  to  the  dignity  of 
Mother  of  God  rather  for  sinners  than  for  the 
just,  since  Jesus  Christ  declares  that  he  came  to 
call  not  the  just,  but  sinners.” 

The  holy  Church  tells  us,  in  the  prayer  said 
in  the  Mass  of  the  vigil  of  the  Assumption,  “  that 
the  divine  Mother  was  taken  from  this  world  that 
she  might  interpose  for  us  with  God,  with  certain 
confidence  of  obtaining  all.” 

“  Then,  0  sinner,”  says  St.  Bernard,  “  whoever  ) 
thou  mayest  be,  imbedded  in  crime,  grown  old  in 
sin,  despair  not;  thank  thy  Lord,  who,  that  he 
might  show  thee  mercy,  has  not  only  given  his  j 


r 

124  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

‘  Son  for  thy  advocate,  but,  to  encourage  thee  to 
greater  confidence,  has  provided  thee  with  a 
mediatress  who  by  her  prayers  obtains  whatever 
she  wills.  Go  then,  have  recourse  to  Mary,  and 
thou  wilt  he  saved. v 

Example. 

St.  Bernardine  of  Sienna  was  born  at  Massacar- 
rara  in  Italy  in  the  year  1383.  He  was  destined 
by  God  for  great  things.  His  great  humility,  his 
self-sacrifice  during  the  plague,  the  eloquence  of  his 
sermons,  won  thousands  of  people  to  penance.  It 
was  even  given  to  him  to  modify  the  Order  of  St. 
Erancis.  He  was  filled  with  a  singular  love  and 
reverence  for  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  looked  upon 
her  veneration  as  one  of  the  best  means  of  becoming 
perfect.  Even  in  his  earliest  youth  he  formed  the 
habit  of  fasting  on  Saturdays  and  followed  this  rule, 
which  has  been  recommended  by  so  many  saints  and 
holy  people,  all  his  life.  Under  the  protection  of 
Mary  he  distinguished  himself  by  the  extraordinary 
purity  of  his  life.  His  face  became  scarlet  with 
shame  if  any  one  told  a  story  of  impure  import  in 
his  hearing,  so  that  his  mere  presence  was  enough  to 
restrain  his  most  impertinent  companions.  When 
he  was  seventeen  years  old  he  joined  a  brotherhood 
at  Sienna,  and  entered  the  hospital  to  devote  himself 
to  the  care  of  the  sick.  Soon  after  he  entered  the 
hospital  the  plague,  which  was  raging  in  other  parts 
of  Italy,  reached  Sienna.  Bernardine  induced  twelve 
other  men  to  help  him,  and  undaunted  by  the  ter¬ 
rible  ravages  of  the  pest,  they  nursed  the  sick  until 
the  epidemic  was  over.  The  Lord,  to  whom  all 
things  are  known,  rewarded  the  devotion  of  the 
youth  by  calling  him  to  the  religious  life  under  the 

L  .  ... 


Mary ,  our  Advocate. 


125 


rule  of  St.  Francis.  He  took  his  vows  on  the  8th  of 
September,  the  Feast  of  the  Nativity.  All  his  work 
and  his  undertakings  he  placed  under  the  protection 
of  Our  Lady,  and  his  apostolic  labors  were  crowned 
with  wonderful  success.  He  founded  nearly  three 
hundred  religious  houses  and  died  a  holy  death  on 
the  10th  of  May,  1444.  His  saintliness  was  so  well 
known  and  was  attested  by  so  many  miracles  that 
Pope  Nicholas  V.  canonized  him  in  the  sixth  year 
after  his  death. 


Prayer. 

O  greatest  and  most  sublime  of  all  creatures,  most 
sacred  Virgin,  I  salute  thee  from  this  earth — I,  a 
miserable  and  unfortunate  rebel  against  my  God, 
who  deserve  chastisements,  not  favors,  justice,  and 
not  mercy.  O  my  Mother,  it  was  thou  who  didst 
one  day  weep  over  thy  Son  who  died  for  me.  Offer, 
I  beseech  thee,  thy  tears  to  God,  and  by  these  ob¬ 
tain  for  me  true  sorrow  for  my  sins.  Sinners  then 
afflicted  thee  so  much,  and  I,  by  my  crimes,  have 
done  the  same.  Obtain  for  me,  0  Mary,  that  at 
least  from  this  day  forward  I  may  not  continue  to 
afflict  thee  and  thy  Son  by  my  ingratitude.  What 
would  thy  sorrow  avail  me  if  I  continued  to  be  un¬ 
grateful  to  thee?  To  what  purpose  would  thy 
mercy  have  been  shown  me  if  again  I  was  unfaith¬ 
ful  and  lost?  No,  my  Queen,  permit  it  not;  thou 
hast  supplied  for  all  my  shortcomings.  Thou  ob- 
tainest  from  God  what  thou  wilt.  Thou  grantest 
the  prayers  of  all.  I  ask  of  thee  two  graces ;  I  expect 
them  from  thee,  and  will  not  be  satisfied  with  less. 
Obtain  for  me  that  I  may  be  faithful  to  God,  and 
no  more  offend  him,  and  love  him  during  the  re¬ 
mainder  of  my  life  as  much  as  I  have  offended  him. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

IUos  tnos  misericordes  oculos  ad  nos  converte. 


TURN,  THEN,  THINE  EYES  OF  MERCY  TOWARDS  US. 

Mary,  our  Guardian. 

Mary  is  All  Eyes  to  Pity  and  Succor  Us  in  our 

Necessities. 

“  Even  whilst  living  in  this  world, ”  says  St. 
Jerome,  “  the  heart  of  Mary  was  so  filled  with 
tenderness  and  compassion  for  men  that  no  one 
ever  suffered  so  much  for  his  own  pains  as  Mary 
suffered  for  the  pains  of  others.”  The  compas¬ 
sion  for  others  in  affliction  she  well  showed  at 
the  marriage-feast  of  Cana,  spoken  of  in  the  pre¬ 
ceding  chapters,  when  the  wine  failing,  without 
being  asked,  remarks  St.  Bernardine  of  Sienna, 
she  charged  herself  with  the  office  of  a  tender 
comfortress,  and  moved  to  compassion  at  the 
sight  of  the  embarrassment  of  the  bride  and 
bridegroom,  she  interposed  with  her  Son  and 
obtained  the  miraculous  change  of  water  into 
wine. 


126 


Mary,  our  Guardian. 


127 


“  But  perhaps,”  says  St.  Peter  Damian,  address¬ 
ing  Mary,  “  now  that  thou  art  raised  to  the  high 
dignity  of  Queen  of  heaven,  thou  forgettest  us 
poor  creatures?”  “Ah,  far  be  such  a  thought 
from  our  minds,”  he  adds;  “  for  it  would  little 
become  the  great  compassion  that  reigns  in  the 
heart  of  Mary  ever  to  forget  such  misery  as 
ours.”  The  proverb,  that  “  honors  change  our 
manners/'  does  not  apply  to  Mary.  With  world¬ 
lings  it  is  otherwise;  for  they,  when  once  raised 
to  a  high  dignity,  become  proud,  and  forget  their 
former  poor  friends,  but  it  is  not  so  with  Mary, 
who  rejoices  in  her  own  exaltation,  because  she 
is  thus  better  able  to  help  the  miserable. 

On  this  subject  St.  Bonaventure  applies  to  the 
Blessed  Virgin  the  words  addressed  to  Ruth: 
Blessed  art  thou  of  the  Lord ,  my  daughter ,  and  thy 
latter  kindness  has  surpassed  the  former  (Ruth  iii. 
10);  meaning  to  say  “that  if  the  compassion  of 
Mary  was  great  towards  the  miserable  when  living 
in  this  world,  it  is  much  greater  now  that  she 
reigns  in  heaven.”  He  then  gives  the  reason  for 
this,  saying  “  that  the  divine  Mother  shows,  by 
the  innumerable  graces  that  she  obtains  for  us, 
her  greater  mercy;  for  now  she  is  better  acquainted 
with  our  miseries.”  Thence  he  adds  “  that  as 
the  splendor  of  the  sun  surpasses  that  of  the 
moon,  so  does  the  compassion  of  Mary,  now  that 


128  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

she  is  in  heaven,  surpass  the  compassion  she  had 
for  us  when  in  the  world/’  In  conclusion,  he 
asks,  “  Who  is  there  living  in  this  world  who  does 
not  enjoy  the  light  of  the  sun?  and  on  whom 
does  not  the  mercy  of  Mary  shine?  ” 

St.  Bernard  says  “  that  Mary  has  made  herself 
all  to  all,  and  opens  her  merciful  heart  to  all,  that 
all  may  receive  of  her  fulness:  the  slave  redemp¬ 
tion,  the  sick  health,  those  in  affliction  comfort, 
the  sinner  pardon,  and  God  glory;  that  thus  there 
may  he  no  one  who  can  hide  himself  from  her 
warmth.”  “And  therefore,”  says  St.  Bonaven- 
ture,  “  this  loving  Mother  has  so  earnest  a  desire 
to  do  good  to  all,  that  not  only  is  she  offended  by 
those  who  positively  outrage  her,  as  some  are 
wicked  enough  to  do,  hut  she  is  offended  at  those 
who  do  not  ask  her  for  favors  or  graces.” 

The  prophet  Isaias  foretold  that,  together  with 
the  great  work  of  the  redemption  of  the  human 
race,  a  throne  of  divine  mercy  was  to  he  prepared 
for  us  poor  creatures:  And  a  throne  shall  be  pre¬ 
pared  in  mercy.  (Is.  xvi.  5.)  What  is  this 
throne?  St.  Bonaventure  answers,  “  Mary  is  this 
throne,  at  which  all — just  and  sinners — find  the 
consolation  of  mercy.”  He  then  adds:  “  For  as 
we  have  a  most  merciful  Lord,  so  also  we  have  a 
most  merciful  Lady.  Our  Lord  is  plenteous  in 
mercy  to  all  who  call  upon  him,  and  Our  Lady  is 


Mary ,  our  Guardian. 


129 


plenteous  in  mercy  to  all  who  call  upon  her.” 
As  Our  Lord  is  full  of  mercy,  so  also  is  Our  Lady; 
and  as  the  Son  knows  not  how  to  refuse  mercy 
to  those  who  call  upon  him,  neither  does  the 
Mother. 

Should  the  sight  of  our  sins  ever  discourage 
us,  let  us  address  the  Mother  of  mercy  in  the 
words  of  William  of  Paris:  “  0  Lady,  do  not  set 
up  my  sins  against  me,  for  I  oppose  thy  compas¬ 
sion  to  them.  Let  it  never  he  said  that  my  sins 
could  contend  in  judgment  against  thy  mercy, 
which  is  far  more  powerful  to  obtain  me  pardon 
than  my  sins  are  to  obtain  my  condemnation.” 


Example. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  thirteenth  century  there 
were  seven  men  living  in  Florence,  who,  though 
noted  for  their  wealth  and  position,  were  even  more 
noted  for  their  piety.  Moved  by  this  piety  they 
determined  to  leave  the  world  and  band  themselves 
together  under  the  protection  of  Mary  to  live  a  life 
of  seclusion  and  penance.  This  was  the  beginning 
of  the  famous  Order  of  the  Servants  of  Mary  or  the 
Servites.  This  order,  so  venerable  because  of  its 
name  and  the  services  it  has  rendered  the  Church, 
owed  its  growth  to  St.  Philip  Beniti.  Philip  was 
barely  five  months  old  when  he  saw  several  religious 
of  the  Servite  order  gathering  alms,  when  speech 
was  given  him  and  he  said  to  his  mother:  “  See,  the 
Servants  of  Mary.”  When  he  was  in  his  fifteenth 
year  and  was  considering  his  vocation,  he  attended 


130 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


Mass  on  Holy  Thursday  in  the  Servite  Chapel  of  the 
Annunciation,  and  there  felt  an  interior  call  to 
enter  the  order.  The  following  night  a  mysterious 
dream  showed  him  the  dangers  of  the  world  and  a 
vision  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  decided  him  altogether. 
After  this  his  devotion  to  Mary  was  more  ardent 
than  ever.  He  prayed  for  hours  before  her  image 
and  tried  to  imitate  her  virtues  in  his  daily  life. 
He  journeyed  to  France,  to  the  Netherlands.  Every¬ 
where  he  preached  the  glories  of  Mary,  until  he  was 
called  the  apostle  of  Mary.  In  1285  he  spent  the 
night  before  the  feast  of  the  Assumption  in  prayer 
and  preached  a  sermon  on  Mary  in  the  morning. 
After  this  he  fell  into  a  light  fever,  which  neverthe¬ 
less  brought  him  to  his  death  in  a  few  days.  In  his 
last  hours  he  assured  his  brethren  in  religion  that 
he  owed  all  graces  and  all  success  in  his  labors  to 
the  Blessed  Virgin  next  to  Christ.  He  encouraged 
them  to  be  faithful  in  their  devotion  to  her,  as  he 
who  perseveres  in  venerating  her  must  surely 
achieve  his  salvation. 


Prayer  of  St.  Anselm. 

We  beseech  thee,  O  most  holy  Lady,  by  the  favor 
that  God  did  thee,  in  raising  thee  so  high  as  to  make 
all  things  possible  to  thee  with  him,  so  to  act  that 
the  plenitude  of  grace,  which  thou  didst  merit,  may 
render  us  partakers  of  thy  glory.  Strive,  O  most 
merciful  Lady,  to  obtain  for  us  that  for  which  God 
was  pleased  to  become  man  in  thy  chaste  womb.  O, 
lend  us  a  willing  ear.  If  thou  deignest  to  pray  to 
thy  Son  for  this,  he  will  immediately  grant  it.  It 
suffices  that  thou  wiliest  our  salvation,  and  then  we 
are  sure  to  obtain  it.  But  who  can  restrain  thy 
great  mercy  ?  If  thou,  who  art  our  Mother,  and  the 


Mary ,  our  Guardian. 


131 


Mother  of  mercy,  dost  not  pity  us,  what  will  become 
of  us  when  thy  Son  comes  to  judge  us?  Help  us, 
then,  O  most  compassionate  Lady,  and  consider  not 
the  multitude  of  our  sins.  We  recommend  ourselves 
to  thee;  O,  let  us  not  lose  our  souls,  but  make  us 
eternally  serve  and  love  thy  beloved  Son,  Jesus 
Christ. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Et  Jesum,  benedictum  Fructum  rent r is  tui  nobis  post  hoo 

exilium  ostende. 


AND  AFTER  THIS  OUR  EXILE  SHOW  UNTO  US  THE 
BLESSED  FRUIT  OF  THY  WOMB,  JESUS. 


Mary,  our  Salvation. 

I. 


Mary  delivers  her  Clients  from  Hell. 


It  is  impossible  for  a  client  of  Mary  who  is 
faithful  in  honoring  and  recommending  himself  to 
her  to  be  lost.  To  some  this  proposition  may 
appear,  at  first  sight,  exaggerated;  but  any  one  to 
whom  this  might  seem  to  be  the  case  I  would  beg 
to  suspend  his  judgment,  and,  first  of  all,  read 
what  I  have  to  say  on  this  subject. 

When  we  say  that  it  is  impossible  for  a  client  of 
Mary  to  be  lost,  we  must  not  be  understood  as 
speaking  of  those  clients  who  take  advantage  of 
this  devotion  that  they  may  sin  more  freely.  And 
therefore  those  who  disapprove  of  the  great  praises 
bestowed  on  the  clemency  of  this  most  blessed 


f 


182 


Mary ,  our  Salvation. 


133 


Virgin,  because  it  causes  the  wicked  to  take  advan¬ 
tage  of  it  to  sin  with  greater  freedom,  do  so  with¬ 
out  foundation,  for  such  presumptive  people 
deserve  chastisement,  and  not  mercy,  for  their 
rash  confidence,  it  is  therefore  to  he  understood 
of  those  clients  who,  with  a  sincere  desire  to 
amend,  are  faithful  in  honoring  and  recommend¬ 
ing  themselves  to  the  Mother  of  God. 

St.  Anselm  says  “  that  as  it  is  impossible  for 
one  who  is  not  devout  to  Mary,  and  consequently 
not  protected  by  her,  to  be  saved,  so  is  it  impos¬ 
sible  for  one  who  recommends  himself  to  her,  and 
consequently  is  beloved  by  her,  to  be  lost.5’  St. 
Antoninus  repeats  the  same  thing  and  almost  in 
the  same  words:  “As  it  is  impossible  for  those 
from  whom  Mary  turns  her  eyes  of  mercy  to  be 
saved,  so  also  are  those  towards  whom  she  turns 
these  eyes,  and  for  whom  she  prays,  necessarily 
saved  and  glorified.” 


Let  us  pay  particular  attention  to  the  first  part 
of  the  opinions  of  these  saints,  and  let  those 
tremble  who  make  but  little  account  of  their  devo- 
tion  to  this  divine  Mother,  or  from  carelessness 
give  it  up.  They  say  that  the  salvation  of  those 
who  are  not  protected  by  Mary  is  impossible.  And 
St.  Bona  venture  says:  “He  who  neglects  the  ser¬ 
vice  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  will  die  in  his  sins.” 


And,  on  the  99th  Psalm  the  saint  even  says  “  that 


134 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


not  only  those  from  whom  Mary  turns  her  face 
will  not  he  saved,  hut  that  there  will  be  no  hope 
of  their  salvation.”  Before  him  St.  Ignatius  the 
Martyr  said  “  that  it  was  impossible  for  any  sin¬ 
ner  to  be  saved  without  the  help  and  favor  of  the 
most  blessed  Virgin;  because  those  who  are  not 
saved  by  the  justice  of  God  are  with  infinite 
mercy  saved  by  the  intercession  of  Mary.” 

For  this  reason  the  devil  does  his  utmost  with 
sinners  in  order  that,  after  they  have  lost  the  grace 
of  God,  they  may  also  lose  devotion  to  Mary. 
When  Sarah  saw  Isaac  in  company  with  Ismael, 
who  was  teaching  him  evil  habits,  she  desired  that 
Abraham  would  drive  away  both  Ismael  and  his 
mother  Agar:  Cast  out  this  bond-woman  and  her 
son.  (Gen.  xxi.  10.)  She  was  not  satisfied  with 
the  son  being  turned  out  of  the  house,  but  insisted 
on  the  mother  going  also,  thinking  that  otherwise 
the  son,  coming  to  see  his  mother,  would  continue 
to  frequent  the  house.  The  devil,  also,  is  not 
satisfied  with  a  soul  turning  out  Jesus  Christ, 
unless  it  also  turns  out  his  Mother:  Cast  out  this 
bond-woman  and  her  son.  Otherwise  he  fears  that 
the  Mother  will  again,  by  her  intercession,  bring 
back  her  Son.  The  will  to  save  us  cannot  be  want¬ 


ing7  for  Mary  is  our  Mother,  and  desires  our  salva¬ 
tion  more  than  we  can  desire  it  ourselves.  Since, 
then,  this  is  the  case,  how  can  it  be  possible  for  a 


Mary ,  our  Salvation. 


135 


client  of  Mary  to  be  lost?  He  may  be  a  sinner, 
but  if  he  recommends  himself  to  this  good  Mother 
with  perseverance  and  purpose  of  amendment,  she 
will  undertake  to  obtain  him  light  to  abandon  his 
wicked  state,  sorrow  for  his  sins,  perseverance  in 
virtue,  and,  finally,  a  good  death.  And  what 
mother  would  not  deliver  her  son  from  death  if  it 
only  depended  on  her  asking  the  favor  to  obtain  it 
from  the  judge?  xknd  can  we  think  that  Mary, 
who  loves  her  clients  with  a  mother's  most  tender 
love,  will  not  deliver  her  child  from  eternal  death 
when  she  can  do  it  so  easily? 

Ah!  devout  reader,  let  us  thank  Our  Lord  if  we 
see  that  he  has  given  us  affection  for  the  Queen  of 
heaven  and  confidence  in  her;  “  for,"  says  St. 
John  Damascene,  “  God  only  grants  this  favor  to 
those  whom  he  is  determined  to  save.”  The  fol¬ 
lowing  are  the  beautiful  words  of  the  saint, 
with  which  he  rekindles  his  own  and  our  hope: 
“  0  Mother  of  God,  if  I  place  my  confidence  in 
thee,  I  shall  be  saved.  If  I  am  under  thy  protec¬ 
tion,  1  have  nothing  to  fear,  for  the  fact  of  being 
thy  client  is  the  possession  of  a  certainty  of  salva¬ 
tion,  and  which  God  only  grants  to  those  whom  he 
intends  to  save.”  Therefore  Erasjnus  salutes  the 
Blessed  Virgin  in  these  words:  “  Hail!  0  terror  of 
hell;  0  hope  of  Christians;  confidence  in  thee  is  a 
pledge  of  salvation.” 


136 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


“  0,  how  many  would  have  remained  obstinate 
in  sin,  and  have  been  eternally  lost,”  says  Thomas 
a  Ivempis,  “if  Mary  had  not  interposed  with  her 
Son,  that  he  might  show  them  mercy  !  ” 

Blessed  Henry  S-uso  used  to  say  “  that  he  had 
placed  his  soul  in  the  hands  of  Mary,  and  that  if  he 
was  condemned,  the  sentence  must  pass  through 
her  hands;  ”  being  confident  that  if  it  was  in  such 
hands,  this  tender  Virgin  would  certainly  prevent 
its  execution.  The  same  do  I  hope  for  myself,  0 
my  own  most  holy  Queen;  and  therefore  I  will 
always  repeat  the  words  of  St.  Bonaventure:  “  In 
thee,  0  Lady,  have  I  placed  all  my  hopes;  and  thus 
I  confidently  trust  that  I  shall  never  be  lost,  but 
praise  and  love  thee  forever  in  heaven.” 

Example. 

A  young  man  who  had  sinned  often  and  grievously 
against  holy  chastity,  once  went  to  confession  at 
Home  and  told  his  father  confessor  that  in  spite  of 
all  his  resolutions  he  fell  into  sin  again  and  again. 
The  priest  advised  him  to  say  a  Hail  Mary  every 
morning  and  evening  and  to  put  himself  under  the 
protection  of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  A  short  time 
afterwards  the  young  man  left  Rome  and  was  gone 
for  several  years.  Upon  his  return  he  visited  his 
father  confessor,  who  was  happy  to  see  that  the 
young  man  had  overcome  his  sinful  habit.  And 
being  asked  how  he  did  it,  he  answered  that  it  was 
by  following  the  priest’s  advice  and  faithfully  say¬ 
ing  the  Hail  Mary  every  morning  and  evening. 


Mary ,  our  Salvation. 


137 


Prayer  of  St.  Bernard. 

We  raise  our  eyes  to  thee,  O  Queen  of  the  world. 
We  must  appear  before  our  Judge  after  so  many 
sins :  who  will  appease  him?  No  one  can  do  it  better 
than  thou  canst,  O  holy  Lady,  who  hast  loved  him 
so  much,  and  by  whom  thou  art  so  tenderly  beloved. 
Open,  then,  O  Mother  of  mercy,  thy  heart  to  our 
sighs  and  prayers.  We  fly  to  thy  protection ;  appease 
the  wrath  of  thy  Son,  and  restore  us  to  his  grace. 
Thou  dost  not  abhor  a  sinner,  however  loathsome  he 
may  be.  Thou  dost  not  despise  him  if  he  sends  up 
his  sighs  to  thee,  and,  repentant,  asks  thy  interces¬ 
sion.  Thou,  with  thy  compassionate  hand,  deliv- 
erest  him  from  despair.  Thou  animatest  him  to 
hope,  and  dost  not  leave  him  until  thou  hast  recon¬ 
ciled  him  with  his  Judge.  O  sweet,  O  great,  O  all- 
amiable  Mary,  no  heart  can  pronounce  thy  name 
but  thou  inflamest  it  with  thy  love;  nor  can  they 
who  love  thee  think  of  thee  without  feeling  them¬ 
selves  strengthened  to  love  thee  more. 

0  holy  Lady,  help  our  weakness.  And  who  is  more 
fit  to  address  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  than  thou  who 
enjoyest  in  such  close  vicinity  his  most  sweet  con¬ 
verse?  Speak,  then,  speak,  O  Lady;  for  thy  Son 
listens  to  thee,  and  thou  wilt  obtain  all  that  thou 
askest  of  him. 

II. 

Mary  leads  her  Servants  to  Heaven. 

* 

Oh,  what  an  evident  mark  of  predestination 
have  the  servants  of  Mary!  St.  Antoninus  tells 
us  “  that  this  divine  Mother  has  already,  by  her 
assistance  and  prayers,  obtained  heaven  for  us, 


138 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


provided  we  put  no  obstacle  in  the  way.”  St. 
Bonaventure  says  “  that  the  gates  of  heaven 
will  open  to  all  who  confide  in  the  protection  of 
Mary.”  Hence,  St.  Ephrem  calls  devotion  to  the 
divine  Mother  “  the  unlocking  of  the  gates  of  the 
heavenly  Jerusalem."  For  the  same  reason  is 
this  great  Mother  called  by  the  Church  the  Star 
of  the  Sea,  “Hail,  Star  of  the  Sea!”  “For,” 
says  the  angelical  St.  Thomas,  “  as  sailors  are 
guided  by  a  star  to  the  port,  so  are  Christians 
guided  to  heaven  by  Mary.” 

For  the  same  reason  again  is  she  called  by  St. 
Fulgentius  “the  heavenly  ladder.”  “For,”  says 
the  saint,  “  by  Mary  God  descended  from  heaven 
into  the  world,  that  by  her  men  might  ascend 
from  earth  to  heaven.”  “And  thou,  0  Lady,” 
says  St.  Athanasius,  “  wast  filled  with  grace  that 
thou  mightest  be  the  way  of  our  salvation  and 
the  means  of  ascent  to  the  heavenly  kingdom.” 

St.  Bernard  calls  our  blessed  Lady  “  the  heav¬ 
enly  chariot.”  •  “  Blessed  are  they  who  know 
thee,  0  Mother  of  God,”  says  St.  Bonaventure; 
“  for  the  knowledge  of  thee  is  the  highroad  to 
everlasting  life,  and  the  publication  of  t,hy  vir¬ 
tues  is  the  way  of  eternal  salvation.”  St.  John 
Damascene  also  says  “  that  to  serve  Mary  and  be 
her  courtier  is  the  greatest  honor  we  can  possibly 
possess;  for  to  serve  the  Queen  of  heaven  is 


Mary ,  our  Salvation. 


139 


already  to  reign  there,  and  to  live  under  her  com¬ 
mands  is  more  than  to  govern. ”  On  the  other 
hand,  he  adds  “  that  those  who  do  not  serve  Mary 
will  not  he  saved;  for  those  who  are  deprived  of 
the  help  of  this  great  Mother  are  also  deprived 
of  that  of  her  Son  and  of  the  whole  court  of 
heaven/' 

“  May  the  infinite  goodness  of  Our  Lord  be 
ever  praised,"  says  St.  Bernard,  “  for  having 
been  pleased  to  give  us  Mary  as  our  advocate  in 
heaven,  that  she,  being  at  the  same  time  the 
Mother  of  our  Judge  and  a  Mother  of  mercy, 
may  be  able,  by  her  intercession,  to  conduct  to  a 
prosperous  issue  the  great  affair  of  our  eternal 
salvation.” 

Nor  should  those  even  who  have  deserved  hell 
he  in  the  least  doubtful  as  to  obtaining  heaven, 
provided  they  are  faithful  in  serving  this  Queen. 
“  0,  how  many  sinners,”  says  St.  Germanus, 
“  have  found  God  and  have  been  saved  by  thy 
means,  0  Mary!  ”  “And  thou,  0  great  Mother,” 
says  St.  Methodius,  “  art  the  beginning,  the  mid¬ 
dle,  and  the  end  of  our  happiness  ” — the  begin¬ 
ning,  for  Mary  obtains  us  the  pardon  of  our  sins; 
the  middle,  for  she  obtains  us  perseverance  in 
divine  grace;  and  the  end,  for  she  finally  obtains 
us  heaven.  “  B}"  thee,  0  Mary,  was  heaven 
opened,”  says  St.  Bernard;  “  by  thee  was  hell 


140  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

emptied;  by  thee  was  paradise  restored;  and 
through  thee,  in  fine,  is  eternal  life  given  to  so 
many  miserable  creatures  who  deserved  eternal 
death/’ 

But  that  which  above  all  should  encourage  us 
to  hope  with  confidence  for  heaven  is  the  beau¬ 
tiful  promise  made  by  Mary  herself  to  all  who 
honor  her,  and  especially  to  those  who,  by  word 
and  example,  endeavor  to  make  her  known  and 
honored  by  others:  They  that  work  by  me  shall  not 
sin;  they  that  explain  me  shall  have  life  everlasting . 
(Ecclus.  xxiv.  30.)  “  0  happy  they  who  obtain 

the  favor  of  Marv!  ”  exclaims  St.  Bonaventure; 
“  they  will  be  recognized  by  the  blessed  as  their 
companions,  and  whoever  bears  the  stamp  of  a 
servant  of  Mary  is  already  enrolled  in  the  Book 
of  Life.” 

Why,  then,  should  we  trouble  ourselves  about 
the  opinions  of  scholastics  as  to  whether  predes¬ 
tination  to  glory  precedes  or  follows  the  prevision 
of  merits?  If  we  are  true  servants  of  Marv,  and 
obtain  her  protection,  we  most  certainly  shall  be 
inscribed  in  the  Book  of  Life;  for,  says  St.  John 
Damascene,  “  God  only  grants  devotion  towards 
his  most  holy  Mother  to  those  whom  he  will 
save.”  This  is  also  clearly  expressed  by  Our 
Lord  in  St.  John:  He  that  shall  overcome  ...  I 
will  write  upon  him  the  name  of  my  God,  and  the 


Mary ,  our  Salvation. 


141 


name  of  the  city  of  my  God.  (Apoc.  iii.  12.)  And 
who  but  Mary  is  this  city  of  God?  observes  St. 
Gregory  on  the  words  of  David:  Glorious  things 
are  said  of  thee,  0  city  of  God.  (Ps.  lxxxvi.  3.) 

Correctly,  then,  can  we  here  say  with  St.  Paul, 
Having  this  seal,  the  Lord  Tcnoweth  who  are  his; 
that  is  to  say,  whoever  carries  with  him  the  mark 
of  devotion  to  Mary  is  recognized  by  God  as  his, 
Hence  St.  Bernard  writes  that  devotion  to  the 
Mother  of  God  is  a  most  certain  mark  of  eternal 
salvation. 

Father  Nieremberg  says,  in  the  tenth  chapter 
of  his  book  on  Affection  for  Mary ,  that  “  the  ser¬ 
vants  of  the  Mother  of  God  are  not  only  privi¬ 
leged  and  favored  in  this  world,  but  even  in 
heaven  they  are  more  particularly  honored.”  He 
then  adds  “  that  in  heaven  they  will  be  recog¬ 
nized  as  servants  of  its  Queen,  and  as  belonging 
to  her  court,  by  a  distinguishing  and  richer  gar¬ 
ment;  ”  according  to  the  words  of  the  Proverbs, 
All  her  domestics  are  clothed  with  double  garments. 

St.  Mary  Magdalen  of  Pazzi  saw  a  vessel  in  the 
midst  of  the  sea:  in  it  were  all  the  clients  of 
Mary,  and  this  Blessed  Mother  herself  steered  it 
safely  into  the  port.  By  this  the  saint  understood 
that  those  who  live  under  the  protection  of  Mary 
are  secure,  in  the  midst  of  the  dangers  of  this 
life,  from  the  shipwreck  of  sin,  and  from  eternal 


142 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


damnation;  for  she  guides  them  safely  into  the 
haven  of  salvation.  Let  us  then  enter  this 
blessed  ship  of  the  mantle  of  Mary,  and  there  we 
can  be  certain  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven;  for  the 
Church  says:  “  0  holy  Mother  of  God,  all  those 
who  will  be  partakers  of  eternal  happiness  dwell 
in  thee,  living  under  thy  protection/5 

Example. 

The  great  aid  which  Mary  renders  those  who  im¬ 
plore  her  help  is  shown  by  the  story  of  St.  Justina, 
which  is  related  by  St.  Gregory  ISTazianzen.  She 
was  born  in  Antioch  of  noble  parents  and  was  a 
young  woman  of  great  beauty.  But  the  beauty  of 
her  soul  was  even  greater  than  that  of  her  body. 
She  had  united  herself  to  Christ  by  the  vows  of 
virginity  and  every  impulse  of  her  heart  was  dedi¬ 
cated  to  her  heavenly  Bridegroom.  Her  heart  was 
as  a  closed  garden  against  everything  evil.  At  this 
time  there  was  a  young  man  named  Cyprian  in 
Antioch,  who,  filled  with  a  wicked  curiosity,  took  up 
the  study  of  magic.  One  day  he  chanced  to  see 
Justina  and  at  once  he  was  filled  with  an  unholy 
passion  for  her.  Finding  that  he  could  not  win  favor 
with  the  maiden  by  any  of  his  arts,  he  at  last  deter¬ 
mined  to  resort  to  magic.  He  succeeded  in  so  far 
that  the  young  woman  was  assailed  by  the  fiercest 
temptations  against  her  chastity.  In  her  extremity 
she  took  refuge  with  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  not  in 
vain.  The  spirit  of  evil  was  compelled  to  leave 
Justina  in  peace  and  the  jewel  of  purity  was  pre¬ 
served  to  her.  The  Blessed  Virgin  obtained  the 
grace  also  of  enlightenment  for  the  wicked  young 
man  who  had  tried  to  destroy  Justina.  Her  stead- 


Mary ,  our  Salvation. 


143 


fastness  showed  him  the  helplessness  of  the  evil 
spirits  against  those  fortified  by  the  religion  of 
Jesus,  and  he  himself  was  baptized  and  followed  St. 
Justina  in  giving  testimony  to  the  faith  by  dying  a 
martyr  to  its  truth. 


Prayer. 

O  Queen  of  heaven.  Mother  of  holy  love!  since 
thou  art  the  most  amiable  of  creatures,  the  most 
beloved  of  God,  and  his  greatest  lover,  be  pleased 
to  allow  the  most  miserable  sinner  living  in  this 
world,  who  having  by  thy  means  been  delivered  from 
hell,  and  without  any  merit  on  his  part  been  so  bene¬ 
fited  by  thee  and  who  is  filled  with  love  for  thee, 
to  love  thee.  I  would  desire,  were  it  in  my  power, 
to  let  all  men  who  know  thee  not  know  how  worthy 
thou  art  of  love,  that  all  might  love  and  honor  thee. 
I  would  desire  to  die  for  love  of  thee,  in  defence 
of  thy  virginity,  of  thy  dignity  of  Mother  of  God, 
of  thy  Immaculate  Conception,  should  this  be  neces¬ 
sary,  to  uphold  these  thy  great  privileges.  Ah !  my 
most  beloved  Mother  accept  this  my  ardent  desire, 
and  never  allow  a  servant  of  thine,  who  loves  thee,  to 
become  the  enemy  of  thy  God,  whom  thou  lovest 
so  much.  Ah !  Queen  most  worthy  of  love,  I  desire 
to  love  thee  in  heaven.  There,  at  thy  feet,  I  shall 
better  know  how  worthy  thou  art  of  love,  how  much 
thou  hast  done  to  save  me;  and  thus  I  shall  love 
thee  with  greater  love,  and  love  thee  eternally,  with¬ 
out  fear  of  ever  ceasing  to  love  thee.  O  Mary,  I 
hope  most  certainly  to  be  saved  by  thy  means.  Pray 
to  Jesus  for  me.  Nothing  else  is  needed;  thou  hast 
to  save  me;  thou  art  my  hope.  I  will  therefore  al¬ 
ways  sing,  O  Mary,  my  hope,  thou  hast  to  save  me. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

0  clemens,  0  pia! 


0  MERCIFUL,  0  PIOUS. 

Clemency  and  Compassion  of  Mary. 

How  great  are  the  Clemency  and  Compassion  of  Mary. 

St.  Bouayeuture  also,  considering  that  Mary 
was  made  Mother  of  God  on  account  of  the  miser¬ 
able,  and  that  to  her  is  committed  the  charge  of 
dispensing  mercy;  considering,  moreover,  the  ten¬ 
der  care  she  takes  of  all,  and  that  her  compassion 
is  so  great  that  she  seems  to  have  no  other  desire 
than  that  of  relieving  the  needy;  says  that  when 
he  looks  at  her,  he  seems  no  longer  to  see  the  jus¬ 
tice  of  God,  but  only  the  divine  mercy,  of  which 
Mary  is  full.  “  0  Lady,  when  I  behold  thee,  I 
can  only  discern  mercy,  for  thou  wast  made 
Mother  of  God  for  the  wretched,  and  then  thou 
Avast,  intrusted  with  their  charge;  thou  art  all 
solicitude  for  them;  thou  art  walled  in  with 
mercy;  thy  only  Avish  is  to  show  it.” 

Rebecca  Avas  a  figure  of  Mary;  and  she,  when 

asked  bv  Abraham's  servant  for  a  little  water  to 

«/ 

144 


,  Clemency  and  Compassion  of  Mary. 


145 


drink,  replied  that  not  only  would  she  give  him 
plenty  for  himself,  but  also  for  his  camels,  saying, 
I  will  draw  water  for  tliy  camels  also  till  they  all 
drink.  (Gen.  xxiv.  19.)  On  these  words  St. 
Bernard  addresses  our  blessed  Lady,  saying: 
“  0  Mary,  thou  art  far  more  liberal  and 
compassionate  than  Rebecca;  and  therefore 
thou  art  not  satisfied  with  distributing  the 
treasures  of  thy  immense  mercy  only  to  the  just, 
of  whom  Abraham's  servants  were  types,  but  also 
thou  bestowest  them  on  sinners  who  are  signified 
by  the  camels.”  “  The  liberality  of  Mary,”  savs 
Richard  of  St.  Laurence,  “  is  like  that  of  her  Son, 
who  always  gives  more  than  he  is  asked  for.” 
He  is ,  says  St.  Paul,  rich  unto  all  that  call  upon 
him.  (Rom.  x.  12.)  “  And  the  liberality  of 

Mary  is  like  his:  she  bestows  more  than  is 
sought.”  Hear  how  a  devout  writer  thus  ad¬ 
dresses  the  Blessed  Virgin:  “  0  Lady,  do  thou 
pray  for  me,  for  thou  wilt  ask  for  the  graces  I 
require  with  greater  devotion  than  I  can  dare 
to  ask  for  them;  and  thou  wilt  obtain  far  greater 
graces  from  God  for  me  than  I  can  presume  to 
seek.”’ 

When  the  Samaritans  refused  to  receive  Jesus 
Christ  and  his  doctrines,  St.  James  and  St.  John 
asked  him  whether  they  should  command  fire  to 
fall  from  heaven  and  devour  them;  Our  Lord 


146 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


replied.  You  know  not  of  what  spirit  you  are. 
(Luke  ix.  55.)  As  if  he  had  said,  “  I  am 
of  so  tender  and  compassionate  a  spirit  that  I 
came  from  heaven  to  save  and  not  to  chastise 
sinners,  and  you  wish  to  see  them  lost.  Fire, 
indeed!  and  punishment! — speak  no  more  of 
chastisements,  for  such  a  spirit  is  not  mine.”  But 
of  Mary,  whose  spirit  is  the  same  as  that  of  her 
Son,  we  can  never  doubt  that  she  is  all-inclined  to 
mercy.  For  this  reason  Mary  was  seen  by  St. 
John  clothed  with  the  sun:  And  a  great  sign 
appeared  in  heaven ,  a  woman  clothed  with  the  sun. 
(Apoc.  xii.  1.)  On  which  words  St.  Bernard,  turn¬ 
ing  towards  the  Blessed  Virgin,  says,  “  Thou,  0 
Lady,  hast  clothed  the  sun,  that  is  the  Eternal 
Word,  with  human  flesh;  but  he  has  clothed  thee 
with  his  power  and  mercy.” 

“  This  Queen,”  continues  the  same  St.  Bernard, 
“  is  so  compassionate  and  benign,  that  when  a  sin¬ 
ner,  whoever  he  may  be,  recommends  himself  to 
her  charity,  she  does  not  question  his  merits,  or 
whether  he  is  worthy  or  unworthy  to  be  attended 
to,  but  she  hears  and  succors  all.”  “  0,  how  many,” 
exclaims  the  Abbot  of  Celles,  “  who  deserved  to  be 
condemned  by  the  justice  of  the  Son,  are  saved  by 
the  mercy  of  the  Mother?  for  she  is  God’s  treasure, 
and  the  treasurer  of  all  graces;  and  thus  our  salva¬ 
tion  is  in  her  hands,  and  depends  on  her.”  Let  us. 


Clemency  arid  Compassion  of  Mary. 


147 


then,  always  have  recourse  to  this  compassionate 
Mother,  and  confidently  hope  for  salvation  through 
her  intercession.  For  as  St.  Antoninus  says,  Mary  is 
that  throne  of  grace  to  which  the  Apostle  St.  Paul, 
in  his  epistle  to  .the  Hebrews,  exhorts  us  to  fly  with 
confidence,  that  we  may  obtain  the  divine  mercy, 
and  all  the  help  we  need  for  our  salvation.’7 
Let  us  therefore  go  with  confidence  to  the  throne  of 
grace:  that  we  may  obtain  mercy,  and  find  grace  in 
seasonable  aid.  (Heb.  iv.  16.) 

Let  us  conclude  with  the  beautiful  and  tender 
exclamation  of  St.  Bonaventure  on  these  words, 
“  0  merciful,  0  compassionate,  0  sweet  Virgin 
Mary  !  77  “  0  Mary,  thou  art  clement  with  the 

miserable,  compassionate  towards  those  who  pray 
to  thee,  sweet  towards  those  who  love  thee;  clement 
with  the  penitent,  compassionate  to  those  who 
advance,  sweet  to  the  perfect.  Thou  showest  thy¬ 
self  clement  in  delivering  us  from  chastisement, 
compassionate  in  bestowing  graces,  and  sweet  in 
giving  thyself  to  those  who  seek  thee.77 

Example. 

St.  Philip  Fieri,  who  was  born,  in  the  year  1515,  at 
Florence,  was  one  of  the  greatest  ornaments  of  the 
Church  in  the  sixteenth  century.  From  his  earliest 
years  he  had  a  tender  devotion  towards  our  blessed 
Mother  and  tried  to  inspire  the  same  in  others.  He 
called  her  his  jov  and  his  consolation.  To  those  whom 
he  was  leading  towards  salvation  he  recommended 


148  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

most  earnestly  the  devotion  to  the  Blessed  Virgin. 
Ide  taught  them  to  say  often :  “  Virgin  Mary,  Mother 
of  God,  pray  to  thy  Jesus  for  me.”  Moreover  he 
was  earnest  in  imitating  the  virtues  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin.  Particularly  did  he  practice  obedience. 
Even  as  a  child  he  was  scrupulously  obedient  to  his 
parents.  Indeed  he  had  such  a  high  opinion  of  this 
virtue  that  he  said :  “  Obedience  is  the  shortest  and 
surest  way  to  perfection.”  Plis  love  of  God  re¬ 
mained  steadfast  in  many  trials  and  sufferings, 
which  he  bore  with  a  complete  surrender  of  the  will 
to  God.  His  motives  were  misunderstood,  he  was 
traduced  and  calumniated  by  evil-minded  people, 
and  his  health  was  delicate.  But  all  this  did 
not  overcome  his  spirit  nor  his  devotion.  In 
the  last  years  of  his  life  he  was  suddenly  cured 
of  a  painful  illness  by  a  vision  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 
“  O  my  most  precious  Queen,”  he  cried  out,  “  I  do 
not  deserve  that  thou  shouldst  come  to  me.”  When 
asked  by  the  physician  present  what  he  meant,  he 
answered:  “Did  you  not  see  the  Blessed  Virgin, 
who  came  to  heal  me  ?  ”  And  indeed  he  was  cured 
and  rose  and  went  about  his  labors.  He  grew  to  be 
very  old,  and  died  as  he  had  lived,  under  the  pro¬ 
tection  of  Mary,  on  the  twenty-sixth  of  May,  1595. 

Prayer. 

0  Mother  of  mercy,  since  thou  art  so  compassion¬ 
ate,  and  hast  so  great  a  desire  to  render  service  to  us 
poor  creatures  and  to  grant  our  requests,  behold  I, 
the  most  miserable  of  all  men,  have  now  recourse 
to  thy  compassion,  in  order  that  thou  mayest  grant 
me  that  which  I  ask.  Others  may  ask  what  they 
please  of  thee — bodily  health  and  earthly  goods  and 
advantages ;  but  I  come,  O  Lady,  to  ask  thee  for  that 
which  thou  desirest  of  me,  and  which  is  most  in 


Clemency  and  Compassion  of  Mary. 


149 


conformity  and  agreeable  to  thy  most  sacred  heart. 
Thou  art  so  humble;  obtain  for  me  humility  and 
love  of  contempt.  Thou  wast  so  patient  under  the 
sufferings  of  this  life;  obtain  for  me  patience  in 
trials.  Thou  wast  all  filled  with  the  love  of  God; 
obtain  for  me  the  gift  of  his  pure  and  holy  love. 
Thou  wast  all  love  towards  thy  neighbor;  obtain  for 
me  charity  towards  all,  and  particularly  towards 
those  who  are  in  any  way  my  enemies.  Thou  wast 
entirely  united  to  the  divine  will ;  obtain  for  me 
entire  conformity  to  the  will  of  God  in  whatever 
way  he  may  be  pleased  to  dispose  of  me.  Thou,  in 
fine,  art  the  most  holy  of  all  creatures;  O  Mary, 
make  me  a  saint.  O  Mary,  my  Mother  Mary,  my 
hope,  my  love,  my  life,  my  refuge,  my  help,  and  my 
consolation.  Amen. 


CHAPTER  X. 

O  dulcis  Virgo  Maria. 


O  SWEET  VIRGIN  MARY. 

The  Sweetness  of  the  Name  of  Mary  during  Life 

and  at  Death. 

The  Abbot  Franc  one,  speaking  of  the  name  of 
Mary,  says  “  there  is  no  other  name  after  that  of 
the  Son,  in  heaven  or  on  earth,  whence  pious 
minds  derive  so  much  grace,  hope,  and  sweetness/7 
After  the  most  sacred  name  of  Jesus,  the  name  of 
Mary  is  so  rich  in  every  good  thing,  that  on  earth 
and  in  heaven  there  is  no  other  from  which  devout 
souls  receive  so  much  grace,  hope,  and  sweetness. 
“For,”  he  continues,  “there  is  something  so 
admirable,  sweet,  and  divine  in  this  name  of  Mary, 
that  when  it  meets  with  friendly  hearts  it  breathes 
into  them  an  odor  of  delightful  sweetness.”  And 
he  adds,  in  conclusion,  “  that  the  wonder  of  this 
great  name  is,  that  if  heard  by  the  lovers  of  Mary 
a  thousand  times,  it  is  always  heard  again  with 
renewed  pleasure,  for  they  always  experience  the 
same  sweetness  each  time  it  is  pronounced.” 

150 


The  Sweetness  of  the  Name  of  Mary. 


151 


The  Blessed  Henry  Suso,  also  speaking  of  this 
sweetness,  says  that  when  he  named  Mary,  he 
felt  himself  so  excited  to  confidence,  and  inflamed 
with  such  love  and  joy,  that  between  the  tears  and 
joy  with  which  he  pronounced  the  beloved  name, 
he  desired  that  his  heart  might  leave  his  breast; 
for  he  declared  that  this  most  sweet  name  was  like 
a  honeycomb  dissolving  in  the  inmost  recess  of 
the  soul;  and  then  he  would  exclaim:  “0  most 
sweet  name!  0  Mary,  what  must  thou  thyself  he, 
since  thy  name  alone  is  thus  amiable  and  gra¬ 
cious  !  ” 

The  enamored  St.  Bernard,  raising  his  heart 
to  his  good  Mother,  says  with  tenderness,  “  0 
great  !  0  pious  !  0  thou  who  art  worthy  of  all 
praise!  0  most  holy  Virgin  Mary!  Thy  name  is 
so  sweet  and  amiable  that  it  cannot  he  pronounced 
without  inflaming  those  who  do  so  with  love 
towards  thee  and  God.  It  only  need  occur  to  the 
thought  of  thy  lovers  to  move  them  to  love  thee 
more  and  to  console  them/’  “  Thou  canst  not  be 
named  without  inflaming;  thou  canst  not  be 
thought  of  by  those  who  love  thee  without  filling 
their  minds  with  joy.”  “  And  if  riches  comfort 
the  poor,  because  they  relieve  them  in  their  dis¬ 
tress,  0  how  much  more  does  thy  name,  0  Mary,” 
says  Richard  of  St.  Laurence,  “  comfort  us  than 
any  earthly  riches  !  It  comforts  us  in  the 


152 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


anguishes  of  this  life.”  “  Thy  name,  0  Mary,  is 
far  better  than  riches,  because  it  can  better  relieve 
poverty.” 

In  fine,  “  thy  name,  0  Mother  of  God,  is  filled 
with  divine  graces  and  blessings,”  as  St.  Methodius 
says.  So  much  so  that  St.  Bonaventure  declares 
“  that  thy  name,  0  Mary,  cannot  be  pronounced 
without  bringing  some  grace  to  him  who  does  so 
devoutly.”  The  Blessed  Raymond  Jordan o  says 
“  that  however  hardened  and  diffident  a  heart  may 
be,  the  name  of  this  most  blessed  Virgin  has  such 
efficacy,  that  if  it  is  only  pronounced,  that  heart 
will  he  wonderfully  softened.”  He  then  tells  us 
that  it  is  she  who  leads  sinners  to  the  hope  of 
pardon  and  grace:  “  By  thee  does  the  sinner 
recover  the  hope  of  forgiveness  and  of  grace.” 

Thy  most  sweet  name,  0  Mary,  according  to  St. 
Ambrose,  “  is  a  precious  ointment  which  breathes 
forth  the  odor  of  divine  grace.”  The  saint  then 
prays  to  the  divine  Mother,  saying:  u  Let  this 
ointment  of  salvation  enter  the  inmost  recesses  of 
our  souls:  ”  that  is,  grant,  0  Lady,  that  we  may 
often  remember  to  name  thee  with  love  and  con¬ 
fidence;  for  this  practice  either  shows  the  posses¬ 
sion  of  divine  grace,  or  else  is  a  pledge  that  we 
shall  soon  recover  it.  St.  Germanus  declares 
“  that  as  breathing  is  a  sign  of  life,  so  also  is  the 
frequent  pronunciation  of  the  name  of  Mary  a 


The  Sweetness  of  the  Name  of  Mary.  153 


sign  either  of  the  life  of  divine  grace,  or  that  it 
will  soon  come;  for  this  powerful  name  has  in  it 
the  virtue  of  obtaining  help  and  life  for  him  who 
invokes  it  devoutly.”  In  fine,  “  This  admirable 
name  of  our  sovereign  Lady,”  says  Richard  of  St. 
Laurence,  “  is  like  a  fortified  tower,  in  which,  if 
a  sinner  takes  refuge,  he  will  be  delivered  from 
death;  for  it  defends  and  saves  even  the  most 
abandoned.”  But  it  is  a  tower  of  strength,  which 
not  onhr  delivers  sinners  from  chastisement,  but 
also  defends  the  just  from  the  assaults  of  hell. 
Thus  the  same  Richard  says  “  that  after  the  name 
of  Jesus,  there  is  no  other  in  which  men  find  so 
powerful  assistance  and  salvation  as  in  the  great 
name  of  Mary." 

Moreover,  it  is  well  known,  and  is  daily  experi¬ 
enced  by  the  clients  of  Mary,  that  her  powerful 
name  gives  the  particular  strength  necessary  to 
overcome  temptations  against  purity.  The  same 
author  in  his  commentary  on  the  words  of  St. 
Luke,  and  the  Virgin  s  name  was  Mary  (Luke  i. 
27),  remarks  that  these  two  words,  Mary  and 
Virgin,  are  joined  together  by  the  Evangelist, 
to  denote  that  the  name  of  this  most  pure  Virgin 
should  always  be  coupled  with  the  virtue  of  chas¬ 
tity.  .Hence  St.  Peter  Chrysologus  says  “  that 
the  name  of  Mary  is  an  indication  of  chastity,” 
meaning  that  when  we  doubt  as  to  whether  we 


154 


Explanation  of  the  Salve  Eegina. 


have  consented  to  thoughts  against  this  virtue,  if 
we  remember  having  invoked  the  name  of  Mary, 
we  have  a  certain  proof  that  we  have  not  sinned. 

Let  us,  therefore,  always  take  advantage  of  the 
beautiful  advice  given  us  b}''  St.  Bernard,  in  these 
words:  “In  dangers,  in  perplexities,  in  doubtful 
cases,  think  of  Mary,  call  on  Mary;  let  her  not 
leave  thy  lips;  let  her  not  depart  from  thy  heart.” 
In  every  danger  of  forfeiting  divine  grace,  we 
should  think  of  Mary,  and  invoke  her  name, 
together  with  that  of  Jesus;  for  these  two  names 
always  go  together.  0,  then,  never  let  us  permit 
these  two  most  sweet  names  to  leave  our  hearts,  or 
be  off  our  lips;  for  they  will  give  us  strength  not 
only  not  to  yield,  but  to  conquer  all  our  tempta¬ 
tions. 

“  If  then,  0  brethren,”  concludes  Thomas  a 
Kempis,  “  you  desire  consolation  in  every  labor, 
have  recourse  to  Mary;  invoke  the  name  of  Mary, 
honor  Mary,  recommend  yourselves  to  Mary, 
rejoice  with  Mary,  weep  with  Mary,  pray  with 
Mary,  walk  with  Mary,  seek  Jesus  with  Mary;  in 
tine,  desire  to  live  and  die  with  Jesus  and  Mary. 
By  acting  thus  you  will  always  advance  in  the  ways 
of  God,  for  Mary  will  most  willingly  pray  for  you, 
and  the  Son  will  most  certainly  grant  all  that  his 
Mother  asks.”  St.  Camillus  of  Lellis  also  recom¬ 
mended  his  religious,  in  the  strongest  terms,  to 


The  Si  vest  ness  of  the  Name  of  Mary. 


155 


remind  the  dying  frequently  to  invoke  the  names 
of  Jesus  and  Mary.  This  was  his  own  custom 
when  attending  others;  but  oh,  how  sweetly  did  he 
practise  it  himself  on  his  death-bed,  for  then  he 
pronounced  the  beloved  names  of  Jesus  and  Mary 
with  such  tenderness  that  he  inflamed  even  those 
who  heard  him  with  love,  and  at  length,  with  his 
eyes  fixed  on  their  venerated  images,  and  his  arms 
in  the  form  of  a  cross,  the  saint  breathed  forth 
his  soul  with  an  air  of  holiness  and  in  the  midst 
of  heavenly  peace,  and  in  the  very  moment  that 
he  was  pronouncing  those  sweet  names. 

“  The  invocation  of  the  sacred  names  of  Jesus 
and  Mary,”  says  Thomas  a  Kempis,  “  is  a  short 
prayer  which  is  as  sweet  to  the  mind,  and  as  power¬ 
ful  to  protect  those  who  use  it  against  the  enemies 
of  their  salvation,  as  it  is  easy  to  remember.” 
“Yes,  truly  blessed  is  he  who  loves  thy  sweet 
name,  0  Mother  of  God!  for,”  he  continues,  “  thy 
name  is  so  glorious  and  admirable,  that  no  one  who 
remembers  it  has  any  fears  at  the  hour  of  death.” 
Such  is  its  power  that  none  of  those  who  invoke 
it  at  the  hour  of  death  fear  the  assaults  of  their 
enemies. 

Oh,  that  we  may  end  our  lives  as  did  the  Ca¬ 
puchin  Father,  Fulgentius  of  Ascoli,  who  expired 
singing,  “  0  Mary,  0  Mary,  the  most  beautiful 
of  creatures!  let  us  depart  together;”  or  accord- 


156  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 

in g  to  the  annals  of  the  Order,  like  Blessed 
Henry  the  Cistercian,  who  expired  in  the  very 
moment  that  he  was  pronouncing  the  most  sweet 
name  of  Mary. 

Let  us  then,  0  devout  reader,  beg  God  to  grant 
us  that  at  death  the  name  of  Mary  may  he  the  last 
word  on  our  lips.  This  was  the  prayer  of  St.  Ger- 
manus:  “  May  the  last  movement  of  my  tongue  be 
to  pronounce  the  name  of  the  Mother  of  God  ! ” 
0  sweet,  0  safe  is  that  death  which  is  accompanied 
and  protected  by  so  saving  a  name;  for  God  only 
grants  the  grace  of  invoking  it  to  those  whom  he  is 
about  to  save. 

And  to  conclude  with  the  tender  prayer  of  St. 
Bonaventure:  “  I  ask  thee,  0  Mary,  for  the  glory 
of  thy  name,  to  come  and  meet  my  soul  when  it  is 
departing  from  this  world,  and  to  take  it  in  thine 
arms.”  “  Disdain  not,  0  Mary,”  the  saint  con¬ 
tinues,  “to  come  then  and  comfort  me  with  thy 
presence.  Be  thyself  my  soul’s  ladder  and  way  to 
heaven.  Do  thou  thyself  obtain  for  it  the  grace 
of  forgiveness  and  eternal  repose.”  He  then  con¬ 
cludes,  saying,  “  0  Mary,  our  advocate,  it  is  for 
thee  to  defend  thy  clients,  and  to  undertake  their 
cause  before  the  tribunal  of  Jesus  Christ.” 

Example. 

The  author  of  the  Glories  of  Mary,  St.  Alphonsus 
Liguori,  founder  of  the  Congregation  of  the  Holy 


The  Sweetness  of  the  Name  of  Mary.  157 

Redeemer,  seems  to  have  been  given  by  Provi¬ 
dence  in  these  latter  days  as  a  model  of  the  most 
sublime  virtues,  especially  as  a  model  of  devotion  to 
our  blessed  Lady.  Even  as  a  youth  he  never  let  a 
day  pass  without  visiting  a  church  or  an  altar  dedi¬ 
cated  to  the  Blessed  Virgin.  He  fasted  on  Satur¬ 
days  in  her  honor,  and  prepared  for  her  feasts  for 
several  days  by  pious  devotions.  The  Rosary  was 
his  daily  prayer.  Whenever  the  hour  struck, '  he 
recited  the  Angelus,  no  matter  where  he  was,  for 
he  esteemed  this  prayer  above  all  others.  When¬ 
ever  he  went  out  and  whenever  he  came  back 
he  knelt  down  before  an  image  of  Mary  and 
commended  himself  to  her  care.  Later  when  he 
became  Bishop  of  St.  Agatha,  he  preached  a 
sermon  in  honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  every 
Saturday.  His  writings  alone  would  be  an  ever¬ 
lasting  testimony  to  his  love  of  Mary.  His  faith, 
although  assailed  by  great  temptations,  remained  so 
steadfast  because  he  always  called  upon  the  holy 
names  of  Jesus  and  Mary.  He  esteemed  very  highly 
the  blessing  of  having  been  born  into  the  Catholic 
Church,  and  wished  to  spread  the  knowledge  of 
the  true  Church  among  the  infidels.  His  faith  in 
God  and  Mary  was  wonderful  and  sustained  him  in 
the  appalling  difficulties  that  he  had  met  with  in 
leaving  the  world  and  founding  his  order.  One  day 
when  his  soul  was  depressed  and  disconsolate,  friends 
sought  to  comfort  him  by  pointing  to  the  good  he 
had  done.  He  answered:  “Hot  in  my  works  do 
I  trust,  but  in  the  infinite  mercy  of  our  Saviour  and 
the  intercession  of  his  holy  Mother.*’  When  dying 
he  was  shown  a  picture  of  the  Blessed  Mother.  Full 
of  joy  he  pressed  it  to  his  breast  and  held  fast  to  it 
until  his  soul  passed  to  God. 


158  Explanation  of  the  Salve  Regina. 


Prayer. 

O  great  Mother  of  God  and  my  Mother  Mary,  it 
is  true  that  I  am  unworthy  to  name  thee,  but  thou, 
who  lovest  me  and  desirest  my  salvation,  must,  not¬ 
withstanding  the  impurity  of  my  tongue,  grant  that 
I  may  always  invoke  thy  most  holy  and  powerful 
name  in  my  aid,  for  thy  name  is  the  succor  of  the 
living  and  the  salvation  of  the  dying.  Ah,  most 
pure  Mary,  most  sweet  Mary,  grant  that  henceforth 
thy  name  may  be  the  breath  of  my  life.  0  Lady, 
delay  not  to  help  me  when  I  invoke  thee,  for  in  all 
the  temptations  which  assail  me,  and  in  all  my 
wants,  1  will  never  cease  calling  upon  thee,  and  re¬ 
peating  again  and  again  Mary,  Mary.  Thus  it  is 
that  I  hope  to  act  during  my  life,  and  more  particu¬ 
larly  at  death,  that  after  that  last  struggle  I  may 
eternally  praise  thy  beloved  name  in  heaven,  O  clem¬ 
ent,  0  pious,  0  sweet  Virgin  Mary.  My  own  dear 
Mary,  O  my  beloved  Jesus,  may  your  most  sweet 
names  reign  in  my  heart,  and  in  all  hearts.  Grant 
that  I  may  forget  all  others  to  remember,  and  always 
invoke,  your  adorable  names  alone.  Ah !  J esus  my 
Redeemer,  and  my  Mother  Mary,  when  the  moment 
of  death  comes,  when  I  must  breathe  forth  my  soul 
and  leave  this  world,  deign,  through  your  merits, 
to  grant  that  I  may  then  pronounce  my  last  words, 
and  that  they  may  be,  “  I  love  Thee,  O  Jesus;  I  love 
thee,  O  Mary;  to  you  do  I  give  my  heart  and  my 
soul.” 


THE  VIRTUES  OF  THE  MOST  BLESSED 
VIRGIN  MARY. 


St.  Augustine  says  that  to  obtain  with  more 
certainty  and  in  greater  abundance  the  favor  of  the 
saints,  we  must  imitate  them;  for  when  they  see  us 
practise  their  virtues,  they  are  more  excited  to  pray 
for  us.  The  Queen  of  saints  and  our  principal  ad¬ 
vocate,  Mary,  has  no  sooner  delivered  a  soul  from 
Lucifer’s  grasp  and  united  it  to  God,  than  she  de¬ 
sires  that  it  should  begin  to  imitate  her,  otherwise 
she  cannot  enrich  it  with  the  graces  that  she  would 
wish,  seeing  it  so  opposed  to  her  in  conduct.  There¬ 
fore  Mary  calls  those  blessed  who  with  diligence 
imitate  her  life:  Now,  therefore,  children,  hear  me; 
blessed  are  they  that  keep  my  ways.  (Prov.  viii.  32.) 

Whosoever  loves,  resembles  the  person  loved,  or 
endeavors  to  become  like  that  person ;  according  to 
the  well-known  proverb,  “  Love  either  finds  or  makes 
its  like.”  Hence  St.  Sophronius  exhorts  us  to  en¬ 
deavor  to  imitate  Mary,  if  we  love  her,  because  this 
is  the  greatest  act  of  homage  that  we  can  offer  her. 
“  My  beloved  children,”  the  saint  says,  “  serve  Mary, 
whom  you  love ;  for  you  then  truly  love  her,  if  you 
endeavor  to  imitate  her  whom  you  love.”  Richard 
of  St.  Laurence  says  “  that  those  are  and  can  call 
themselves  true  children  of  Mary  who  strive  to  imi¬ 
tate  her  life.” 

Although  there  is  little  recorded  in  the  Gospels 
of  Mary’s  virtues  in  detail,  yet  when  we  learn  from 
them  that  she  was  full  of  grace,  this  alone  gives  us 

159 


160  The  Virtues  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

to  understand  that  she  possessed  all  virtues  in  a 
heroic  degree.  St.  Ambrose  says,  “  Mary  was  such 
that  her  life  alone  was  a  model  for  all.”  And  then 
he  concludes  in  the  following  words :  “  Let  the 
virginity  and  life  of  Mary  be  to  you  as  a  faithful 
image,  in  which  the  form  of  virtue  is  resplendent. 
Thence  learn  how  to  live,  what  to  correct,  what 
to  avoid,  and  what  to  retain.”  Humility  being  the 
foundation  of  all  virtues,  as  the  holy  Fathers  teach, 
let  us  in  the  first  place  consider  how  great  was  the 
humility  of  the  Mother  of  God. 

I. 

The  Humility  of  Mary. 

“  Humility,”  says  St.  Bernard,  “  is  the  founda- 
tion  and  guardian  of  virtues;  ”  and  with  reason, 
for  without  it  no  other  virtue  can  exist  in  a  soul. 
This  beautiful  and  so  necessary  virtue  was  un¬ 
known  in  the  world;  but  the  Son  of  God  himself 
came  on  earth  to  teach  it  by  his  own  example, 
and  willed  that  in  that  virtue  in  particular  we 
should  endeavor  to  imitate  him:  Learn  of  me, 
because  I  am  meek  and  humble  of  heart.  (Matt.  xi. 
29.)  Mary  being  the  first  and  most  perfect  disci¬ 
ple  of  Jesus  Christ  in  the  practice  of  all  virtues, 
was  the  first  also  in  that  of  humility,  and  by  it 
merited  to  be  exalted  above  all  creatures.  Not 
indeed  that  Mary  considered  herself  a  sinner,  for 
humility  is  truth,  as  St.  Teresa  remarks,  and 
Mary  knew  that  she  had  never  offended  God;  nor 


Humility  of  Mary. 


161 


was  it  that  she  did  not  acknowledge  that  she  had 
received  greater  graces  from  God  than  all  other 
creatures,  for  an  humble  heart  always  acknowl¬ 
edges  the  special  favors  of  the  Lord,  to  humble 
herself  the  more;  hut  the  divine  Mother,  by  the 
greater  light  wherewith  she  knew  the  infinite 
greatness  and  goodness  of  God,  also  knew  her 
own  nothingness,  and  therefore,  more  than  all 
others,  humbled  herself.  As  a  beggar,  when 
clothed  with  a  rich  garment  which  has  been  be¬ 
stowed  upon  her,  does  not  pride  herself  on  it  in 
the  presence  of  the  giver,  hut  is  rather  humbled, 
being  reminded  thereby  of  her  own  poverty;  so 
also  the  more  Mary  saw  herself  enriched,  the 
more  did  she  humble  herself,  remembering  that 
all  was  God’s  gift. 

The  first  effect  of  humility  of  heart  is  a  lowly 
opinion  of  ourselves.  Mary  had  always  so  hum¬ 
ble  an  opinion  of  herself  that  although  she  saw 
herself  enriched  with  greater  graces  than  all 
other  creatures,  she  never  preferred  herself  to 
any  one. 

St.  Bernardine  says  that  “  after  the  Son  of 
God,  no  creature  in  the  world  was  so  exalted  as 
Marv,  because  no  creature  in  the  world  ever  hum- 
hied  itself  so  much  as  she  did.” 

4 

Moreover,  it  is  an  act  of  humility  to  conceal 
heavenly  gifts.  Mary  wished  to  conceal  from  St. 


162  The  Virtues  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

Joseph  the  great  favor  whereby  she  had  become 
the  Mother  of  God,  although  it  seemed  necessary 
to  make  it  known  to  him,  if  only  to  remove  from 
the  mind  of  her  poor  spouse  any  suspicions  as  to 
her  virtue  which  he  might  have  entertained  on 
seeing  her  pregnant,  or  at  least  the  perplexity  in 
which  it  indeed  threw  him,  for  St.  Joseph,  on  the 
one  hand,  unwilling  to  doubt  Mary’s  chastity,  and 
on  the  other  ignorant  of  the  mystery,  was  minded 
to  put  her  away  privately.  (Matt.  i.  19.)  This  he 
would  have  done  had  not  the  angel  revealed  to 
him  that  his  spouse  was  pregnant  by  the  opera¬ 
tion  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Again,  a  soul  that  is  truly  humble  refuses  her 
own  praise;  and  should  praises  he  bestowed  on 
her,  she  refers  them  all  to  God.  Behold,  Mary 
is  disturbed  at  hearing  herself  praised  by  St. 
Gabriel;  and  when  St.  Elizabeth  said,  Blessed  art 
thou  among  women  .  .  .  and  ivhence  is  this  to  me , 
that  the  Mother  of  my  Lord  should  come  to  me f 
.  .  .  blessed  art  thou  that  hast  believed  (Luke  i.  42), 
Mary  referred  all  to  God,  and  answered  in  that 
humble  Canticle,  My  soul  doth  magnify  the  Lord 
(ib.  46,  47),  as  if  she  had  said:  “  Thou  dost 
praise  me,  Elizabeth;  but  I  praise  the  Lord,  to 
whom  alone  honor  is  due:  thou  wonderest  that  X 
should  come  to  thee,  and  I  wonder  at  the  divine 
goodness  in  which  alone  my  spirit  exults:  ”  and 


Humility  of  Mary. 


163 


my  spirit  hath  rejoiced  in  God  my  Saviour.  Thou 
praises t  me  because  I  have  believed;  I  praise  my 
God  because  he  hath  been  pleased  to  exalt  my 
nothingness:  because  he  hath  regarded  the  humility 
of  his  handmaid.  It  is  also  a  part  of  humility 
to  serve  others.  Mary  did  not  refuse  to  go  and 
serve  Elizabeth  for  three  months. 

Those  who  are  humble  are  retiring,  and  choose 
the  last  places;  and  therefore  Mary,  remarks  St. 
Bernard,  when  her  Son  was  preaching  in  a  house, 
as  it  is  related  by  St.  Matthew,  wishing  to  speak 
to  him,  would  not  of  her  own  accord  enter,  but 
“  remained  outside,  and  did  not  avail  herself  of 
her  maternal  authority  to  interrupt  him.” 

In  fine,  those  who  are  humble,  love  to  be  con¬ 
temned;  therefore  we  do  not  read  that  Mary 
showed  herself  in  Jerusalem  on  Palm  Sunday, 
when  her  Son  was  received  by  the  people  with  so 
much  honor;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  at  the  death 
of  her  Son  she  did  not  shrink  from  appearing  on 
Calvary  through  fear  of  the  dishonor  which  would 
accrue  to  her  when  it  was  known  that  she  was 
the  Mother  of  him  who  was  condemned  to  die  an 
infamous  death  as  a  criminal. 

There  can  be  no  doubt,  as  St.  Gregory  of  Nyssa 
remarks,  that  of  all  virtues  there  is  perhaps  none 
the  practice  of  which  is  more  difficult  to  our 
nature,  corrupted  as  it  is  by  sin,  than  that  of 


164  The  Virtues  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

humility.  But  there  is  no  escape;  we  can  never 
he  true  children  of  Mary  if  we  are  not  humble. 
(i  If,”  says  St.  Bernard,  “  thou  canst  not  imitate 
the  virginity  of  this  humble  Virgin,  imitate  her 
humility.”  She  detests  the  proud,  and  invites 
only  the  humble  to  come  to  her:  Whosoever  is  a 
little  one ,  let  him  come  to  me.  (Prov.  ix.  4.) 

Then,  0  my  Queen,  I  can  never  be  really  thy 
child  unless  I  am  humble;  but  dost  thou  not  see 
that  my  sins,  after  having  rendered  me  ungrate¬ 
ful  to  my  Lord,  have  also  made  me  proud?  0 
my  Mother,  do  thou  supply  a  remedy.  By  the 
merit  of  thy  humility  obtain  that  I  may  be  truly 
humble,  and  thus  become  thy  child.  Amen. 


II. 

Mary’s  Charity  towards  God. 

St.  Anselm  says  that  “  wherever  there  is  the 
greatest  purity,  there  is  also  the  greatest  char¬ 
ity/’  The  more  a  heart  is  pure,  and  empty  of 
itself,  the  greater  is  the  fulness  of  its  love 
towards  God.  The  most  holy  Mary,  because  she 
was  all  humility,  and  had  nothing  of  self  in  her, 
was  filled  with  divine  love,  so  that  “  her  love 
towards  God  surpassed  that  of  all  men  and 
angels,”  as  St.  Bernardine  writes.  Therefore  St. 


Mary's  Charity  towards  God. 


165 


Francis  de  Sales  with  reason  called  her  “  the 
Queen  of  love.” 

Who  has  ever  fulfilled  as  she  did  that  first  com- 

\ 

mandment,  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with 
thy  whole  heart ?  (Matt.  xxii.  37.)  In  her  divine 
love  was  so  ardent  that  no  defect  of  any  kind 
could  have  access  to  her.  “  Divine  love/'  says  St. 
Bernard,  “  so  penetrated  and  filled  the  soul  of 
Mary  that  no  part  of  her  was  left  untouched;  so 
that  she  loved  with  her  whole  heart,  with  her 
whole  soul,  with  her  whole  strength,  and  was  full 
of  grace."  Therefore  Mary  could  well  say,  My 
Beloved  has  given  himself  all  to  me,  and  1  have 
given  myself  all  to  him:  My  Beloved  to  me,  and  I 
to  him.  (Cant.  ii.  16.) 

God,  who  is  love,  came  on  earth  to  enkindle  in 
the  hearts  of  all  the  flame  of  his  divine  love;  but 
in  no  heart  did  he  enkindle  so  much  as  in  that  of 
his  Mother;  for  her  heart  was  entirely  pure  from 
all  earthly  affections,  and  fully  prepared  to  burn 
with  this  blessed  flame.  Thus  St.  Sophronius 
says  that  “  divine  love  so  inflamed  her  that  noth¬ 
ing  earthly  could  enter  her  affections;  she  was 
always  burning  with  this  heavenly  flame,  and,  so 
to  say,  inebriated  with  it."  Hence  the  heart  of 
Mary  became  all  fire  and  flames,  as  we  read  of  her 
in  the  sacred  Canticles:  The  lamps  thereof  are  fire 
and  fame  (Cant.  viii.  6);  fire  burning  within 


166  The  Virtues  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary . 

through  love,  as  St.  Anselm  explains  it;  and 
flames  shining  without  by  the  example  she  gave 
to  all  in  the  practice  of  virtues.  Yes,  for  St. 
lldephonsus  said  that  “  the  Holy  Ghost  heated, 
inflamed,  and  melted  Mary  with  love,  as  fire  does 
iron;  so  that  the  flame  of  this  Holy  Spirit  was 
seen,  and  nothing  was  felt  but  the  fire  of  the  love 
of  God.’'  St.  Thomas  of  Villanova  says  that  the 
hush  seen  by  Moses,  which  burnt  without  being 
consumed,  was  a  real  symbol  of  Mary’s  heart. 

But  since  Mary  loves  God  so  much,  there  can 
be  nothing  that  she  so  much  requires  of  her 
clients  as  that  they  also  should  love  him  to  their 
utmost.  And  because  Mary  was  all  on  fire  with 
the  love  of  God,  all  who  love  and  approach  her 
are  inflamed  by  her  with  this  same  love;  for  she 
renders  them  like  unto  herself. 

Ah,  Mary,  thou  Queen  of  love,  of  all  creatures 
the  most  amiable,  the  most  beloved,  and  the  most 
loving,  as  St.  Francis  de  Sales  addressed  thee — 
my  own  sweet  Mother,  thou  wast  always  and  in 
all  things  inflamed  with  love  towards  God;  deign, 
then,  to  bestow  at  least  a  spark  of  it  on  me.  Thou 
didst  pray  thy  Son  for  the  spouses  whose  wine 
had  failed:  They  have  no  wine.  (John  ii.  3.)  And 
wilt  thou  not  pray  for  us,  in  whom  the  love  of 
God,  whom  we  are  under  such  obligations  to  love, 
is  wanting?  Say  also,  “  They  have  no  love,”  and 


Man/s  Charity  towards  her  Neighbor.  167 


obtain  us  this  love.  This  is  the  only  grace  for 
which  we  ask.  0  Mother,  by  the  love  thou  bear- 
est  to  Jesus,  graciously  hear  and  pray  for  us. 
Amen. 


III. 

Mary’s  Charity  towards  her  Neighbor. 

Love  towards  God  and  love  towards  our  neigh¬ 
bor  are  commanded  by  the  same  precept:  And  this 
commandment  ive  have  from  God ,  that  he  who  loveth 
God  love  also  his  brother.  (I.  John  iv.  21.)  St. 
Thomas  says  that  the  reason  for  this  is  that  he 
who  loves  God  loves  all  that  God  loves.  St. 
Catharine  of  Genoa  one  day  said,  “  Lord,  Thou 
wiliest  that  I  should  love  my  neighbor,  and  I  can 
love  none  but  Thee.7’  God  answered  her  in  these 
words:  “All  who  love  me  love  what  I  love/7 

So  great  was  Mary's  charity  when  on  earth  that 
she  succored  the  needy  without  even  being  asked; 
as  was  the  case  at  the  marriage-feast  of  Cana, 
when  she  told  her  Son  that  family’s  distress  and 
asked  him  to  work  a  miracle.  0,  with  what  speed 
did  she  fly  when  there  was  question  of  relieving 
her  neighbor!  When  she  went  to  the  house  of 
Elizabeth  to  fulfil  an  office  of  charitv,  she  went 
into  the  hill  country  with  haste.  (Luke  i.  39.)  She 
could  not,  however,  more  fully  display  the  great- 


168  The  Virtues  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

ness  of  her  charity  than  she  did  in  the  offering 
which  she  made  of  her  Son  to  death  for  our  salva¬ 
tion.  On  this  subject  St.  Bonaventure  says 
“  Mary  so  loved  the  world  as  to  give  her  only 
begotten  Son.” 

“Nor  has  this  love  of  Mary  for  us,”  says  St. 
Bonaventure,  “  diminished  now  that  she  is  in 
heaven,  but  it  has  increased;  for  now  she  better 
sees  the  miseries  of  men.”  Blessed  is  he,  says  the 
divine  Mother,  who  listens  to  my  instructions, 
pays  attention  to  my  charity,  and,  in  imitation  of 
me,  exercises  it  himself  towards  others:  Blessed 
is  the  man  that  heareth  me,  and  that  watcheth  daily 
at  my  gates,  and  waiteth  at  the  posts  of  my  doors. 
(Rev.  1.  6,  c.  26.)  St.  Gregory  Nazianzen  assures 
us  that  “  there  is  nothing  by  which  we  can  with 
greater  certainty  gain  the  affection  of  Mary  than 
by  charity  towards  our  neighbor.”  Therefore,  as 
God  exhorts  us,  saying,  Be  ye  merciful,  as  your 
Father  also  is  mercif  ul  (Luke  vi.  36),  so  also  does 
Mary  seem  to  say  to  all  her  children,  “  Be  ye 
merciful,  as  your  Mother  also  is  merciful.”  It  is 
certain  that  our  charity  towards  our  neighbor 
will  be  the  measure  of  that  which  God  and  Mary 
will  show  us:  Give,  and  it  shall  he  given  to  you. 
For  with  the  same  measure  that  you  shall  mete 
withal,  it  shall  he  measured  to  you  again.  (Luke 
vi.  38.)  St.  Methodius  used  to  say,  “  Give  to  the 


Mary's  Faith. 


169 


poor  and  receive  paradise.”  For  the  Apostle 
writes  that  charity  towards  our  neighbor  renders 
us  happy  both  in  this  world  and  in  the  next:  But 
piety  is  profitable  to  all  things ,  having  promise  of 
the  life  that  now  is,  and  of  that  which  is  to  come. 
(I.  Tim.  iv.  8.)  St.  John  Chrysostom,  on  these 
words  of  Proverbs,  He  that  hath  mercy  on  the  poor 
lendeth  to  the  Lord  (Prov.  xix.  17),  makes  a  re¬ 
mark  to  the  same  effect,  saying,  “  He  who  assists 
the  needy  makes  God  his  debtor.” 

0  Mother  of  mercy,  thou  art  full  of  charity  for 
all;  forget  not  my  miseries;  thou  seest  them  full 
well.  Recommend  me  to  God,  who  denies  thee 
nothing.  Obtain  for  me  the  grace  to  imitate 
thee  in  holy  charity,  as  well  towards  God  as 
towards  my  neighbor.  Amen. 

IV. 

Mary’s  Faith. 

As  the  Blessed  Virgin  is  the  Mother  of  holy 
love  and  hope,  so  also  is  she  the  Mother  of  faith: 
I  am  the  Mother  of  fair  love,  and  of  fear,  and  of 
knowledge,  and  of  holy  hope.  (Ecclus.  xxiv.  24.) 
And  with  reason  is  she  so,  says  St.  Irenams;  for 
“  the  evil  done  by  Eve's  incredulity  was  remedied 
by  Mary’s  faith.”  Richard,  on  the  words  of  St. 
Paul,  for  the  unbelieving  husband  is  sanctified  by 


170  The  Virtues  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

the  believing  wife ,  also  says  that  “  Mary  is  the 
believing  woman  by  whose  faith  the  unbelieving 
Adam  and  all  his  posterity  are  saved."  Hence,  on 
account  of  her  faith,  Elizabeth  called  the  holy 
Virgin  blessed:  Blessed  art  thou  that  hast  believed 
because  those  things  shall  be  accomplished  in  thee 
that  were  spoken  by  the  Lord.  (Luke  i.  45.)  And 
St.  Augustine  adds  that  Mary  was  rather  blessed 
by  receiving  the  faith  of  Christ  than  by  conceiv¬ 
ing  the  flesh  of  Christ. 

Father  Suarez  says  that  the  most  holy  Virgin 
had  more  faith  than  all  men  and  angels.  She  saw 
her  Son  in  the  crib  of  Bethlehem,  and  believed  him 
the  Creator  of  the  world.  She  saw  him  fly  from 
Herod,  and  yet  believed  him  the  King  of  kings. 
She  saw  him  born  and  believed  him  eternal.  She 
saw  him  poor  and  in  need  of  food,  and  believed 
him  the  Lord  of  the  universe.  She  saw  him  lying 
on  straw,  and  believed  him  omnipotent.  She  ob¬ 
served  that  he  did  not  speak,  and  she  believed  him  - 
infinite  wisdom.  She  heard  him  weep,  and  believed 
him  the  joy  of  paradise.  In  fine,  she  saw  him  in 
death,  despised  and  crucified,  and,  although  faith 
wavered  in  others,  Mary  remained  firm  in  the  belief 
that  he  was  God.  On  these  words  of  the  Gospel, 
there  stood  by  the  cross  of  Jesus  his  Mother  (John 
xix.  25),  St.  Antoninus  says,  “  Mary  stood,  sup¬ 
ported  by  her  faith,  which  she  retained  firm  in  the 


Mary' s  Faith. 


171 


divinity  of  Christ.”  And  for  this  reason  it  is,  the 
saint  adds,  that  in  the  office  of  Tenebrce  only  one 
candle  is  left  lighted.  St.  Leo,  on  this  subject, 
applies  to  our  blessed  Lady  the  words  of  Proverbs, 
Her  lamp  shall  not  be  put  out  in  the  night.  (Prov. 
xxxi.  18.)  And  on  the  words  of  Isaias,  I  have 
trodden  the  wine-press  alone  (Is.  lxiii.  3),  St. 
Thomas  remarks  that  the  prophet  says  “  a  man,” 
on  account  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  in  whom  faith 
never  failed.  Hence  Blessed  Albert  the  Great 
assures  us  that  “  Mary  then  exercised  perfect  faith; 
for  even  when  the  disciples  were  doubting  she  did 
not  doubt.” 

St.  Ildephonsus  exhorts  us  to  imitate  Mary’s 
faith.  But  how  can  we  do  so?  Faith,  at  the  same 
time  that  it  is  a  gift,  is  also  a  virtue.  It  is  a  gift 
of  God,  inasmuch  as  it  is  a  light  infused  by  him 
into  our  souls;  and  a  virtue,  inasmuch  as  the  soul 
has  to  exercise  itself  in  the  practice  of  it.  Hence 
faith  is  not  only  to  be  the  rule  of  our  belief,  but 
also  that  of  our  actions;  therefore  St.  Gregory 
says,  “  He  truly  believes  who  puts  what  he  believes 
into  practice;  ”  and  St.  Augustine,  “  Thou  sayest, 
I  believe;  do  what  thou  sayest,  and  it  is  faith.” 
This  is  to  have  a  lively  faith,  to  live  according  to 
our  belief:  My  just  man  liveth  by  faith.  (Heb.  x. 
38.)  Thus  did  the  Blessed  Virgin  live  verv  dif- 
ferently  from  those  who  do  not  live  in  accordance 


172  The  Virtues  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

with  what  they  believe,  and  whose  faith  is  dead,  as 
St.  James  declares.  Faith  without  works  is  dead. 
(James  ii.  26.) 

Diogenes  sought  for  a  man  on  earth;  but  God, 
amongst  the  many  faithful,  seems  to  seek  for  a 
Christian,  for  few  there  are  who  have  good  works; 
the  greater  part  have  only  the  name  of  Christian. 
To  such  as  these  should  be  applied  the  words  once 
addressed  by  Alexander  to  a  cowardly  soldier  who 
was  also  named  Alexander:  “Either  change  thy 
name  or  change  thy  conduct.”  But  as  Father 
Avila  used  to  say,  “  It  would  be  better  to  shut  up 
these  poor  creatures  as  madmen,  believing,  as  they 
do,  that  an  eternity  of  happiness  is  prepared  for 
those  who  lead  good  lives,  and  an  eternity  of 
misery  for  those  who  lead  bad  ones,  and  who  yet 
live  as  if  they  believed  nothing.”  St.  Augustine 
therefore  exhorts  us  to  see  things  with  the  eves  of 
Christians,  that  is  to  say,  with  eyes  which  look  at 
all  in  the  light  of  faith;  for,  as  St.  Teresa  often 
said,  all  sins  come  from  a  want  of  faith.  Let  us 
therefore  entreat  the  most  holy  Virgin,  by  the 
merit  of  her  faith,  to  obtain  us  a  lively  faith.  “  0 
Lady,  increase  our  faith.” 


Mary's  Hope. 


173 


y. 

Mary’s  Hope. 

Hope  takes  its  rise  in  faith;  for  God  enlightens 
ns  by  faith  to  know  his  goodness  and  the  prom¬ 
ises  he  has  made,  that  by  this  knowledge  we  may 
rise  by  hope  to  the  desire  of  possessing  him. 
Mary  then,  having  had  the  virtue  of  faith  in  its 
highest  degree,  had  also  hope  in  the  same  degree 
of  excellence;  and  this  made  her  say  with  David: 
But  it  is  good  for  me  to  adhere  to  my  God,  to  put 
my  hope  in  the  Lord  God.  (Ps.  lxxii.  28.)  For 
she  wras  always  perfectly  detached  from  earthly 
affection,  looking  upon  the  world  as  a  desert,  and 
therefore  in  no  way  relying  either  on  creatures 
or  on  her  own  merits,  but  relying  only  on  divine 
grace,  in  which  was  all  her  confidence,  she  always 
advanced  in  the  love  of  God.  The  most  holy  Vir¬ 
gin  gave  a  clear  indication  of  the  greatness  of 
her  confidence  in  God,  in  the  first  place,  when  she 
saw  the  anxiety  of  her  holy  spouse  St.  Joseph. 
Unable  to  account  for  her  wonderful  pregnancy, 
he  was  troubled  at  the  thought  of  leaving  her;  but 
Joseph  .  .  .  minded  to  put  her  away  privately. 
(Matt.  i.  19.)  It  appeared  then  necessary,  as  we 
have  elsewhere  remarked,  that  she  should  dis¬ 
cover  the  hidden  mystery  to  St.  Joseph;  but  no, 
she  would  not  herself  manifest  the  grace  she  had 


174  The  Virtues  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

received;  she  thought  it  better  to  abandon  her¬ 
self  to  divine  Providence,  in  the  fnll  confidence 
that  God  himself  would  defend  her  innocence  and 
reputation. 

Mary  again  showed  her  confidence  in  God  when 
she  knew  that  the  time  for  the  birth  of  Our  Lord 
approached,  and  was  yet  driven  even  from  the 
lodgings  of  the  poor  in  Bethlehem,  and  obliged 
to  bring  forth  in  a  stable:  and  she  laid  him  in  a 
manger ,  because  there  was  no  room  for  him  in  the 
inn.  (Luke  ii.  7.)  She  did  not  then  let  drop  a 
single  word  of  complaint,  hut  abandoning  herself 
to  God,  she  trusted  that  he  would  there  assist 
her. 

The  divine  Mother  also  showed  how  great  was 
her  confidence  in  divine  Providence  when  she  re¬ 
ceived  notice  from  St.  Joseph  that  they  must  fly 
into  Egypt.  On  that  very  night  she  undertook 
so  long  a  journey  to  a  strange  and  unknown  coun¬ 
try  without  provisions,  without  money,  accompa¬ 
nied  only  by  her  infant  Jesus  and  her  poor 
spouse,  who  arose  and  took  the  Child  and  his  Mother 
by  night ,  and  retired  into  Egypt.  (Matt.  ii.  14.) 

But  much  more  did  she  show  her  confidence 
when  she  asked  her  Son  for  wine  at  the  marriage- 
feast  of  Cana;  for  when  she  had  said,  They  have 
no  wine,  Jesus  answered  her,  Woman,  what  is  it  to 
thee  and  to  me?  My  hour  is  not  yet  come.  (John 


Mary's  Chastity. 


175 


ii.  3.)  After  this  answer*  which  seemed  an  evi¬ 
dent  refusal,  her  confidence  in  the  divine  good¬ 
ness  was  such  that  she  desired  the  servants  to 
do  whatever  her  Son  told  them;  for  the  favor  was 
certain  to  he  granted:  Whatsoever  he  shall  say  to 
you,  do  ye.  It  indeed  was  so:  Jesus  Christ  or¬ 
dered  the  vessels  to  he  filled  with  water,  and 
changed  it  into  wine. 

Let  us,  then,  learn  from  Mary  to  have  that  con¬ 
fidence  in  God  which  we  ought  always  to  have, 
hut  principally  in  the  great  affair  of  our  eternal 
salvation — an  affair  in  which  it  is  true  that  we 
must  co-operate;  yet  it  is  from  God  alone  that  we 
must  hope  for  the  grace  necessary  to  obtain  it. 
We  must  distrust  our  own  strength  and  say 
with  the  Apostle,  7  can  do  all  things  in  him  who 
strengthened  me.  (Phil.  iv.  13.) 

Ah,  my  most  holy  Lady,  Ecclesiasticus  tells 
me  that  thou  art  the  Mother  of  holy  hope;  and  the 
holy  Church  that  thou  art  our  hope.  For  what 
other  hope,  then,  need  I  seek?  Thou,  after 
Jesus,  art  all  my  hope. 

YI. 

Mary’s  Chastity. 

Since  the  fall  of  Adam,  the  senses  being  rebel¬ 
lious  to  reason,  chastity  is  of  all  virtues  the  one 


176  The  Virtues  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

that  is  the  most  difficult  to  practise.  St.  Augus¬ 
tine  says:  “  Of  all  the  combats  in  which  we  are 
engaged.,  the  most  severe  are  those  of  chastity; 
its  battles  are  of  daily  occurrence;  but  victory  is 
rare.”  May  God  he  ever  praised,  however,  who 
in  Mary  has  given  us  a  great  example  of  this 
virtue. 

“  With  reason,”  says  Blessed  Albertus  Magnus, 

is  Mary  called  the  Virgin  of  virgins;  for  she, 
without  the  counsel  or  example  of  others,  was  the 
first  who  offered  her  virginity  to  God.”  Thus 
did  she  bring  all  virgins  who  imitate  her  to  God, 
as  David  had  already  foretold:  After  her  shall  vir¬ 
gins  he  hr  ought  .  .  .  into  the  temple  of  the  King. 
(Ps.  xliv.  15.)  Therefore  does  St.  Ambrose  call 
Mary  “  the  standard-bearer  of  virginity.” 

St.  Gregory  of  Vyssa  says  that  so  much  did  the 
Blessed  Virgin  love  this  virtue  that,  to  preserve 
it,  she  would  have  been  willing  to  renounce  even 
the  dignity  of  Mother  of  God.  This  we  may  con¬ 
clude  from  her  answer  to  the  archangel,  Ilow 
shall  this  he  done ,  because  I  know  not  man?  (Luke 
i.  34)  and  from  the  words  she  afterwards  added, 
Be  it  done  to  me  according  to  thy  word  (ib.  38), 
signifying  that  she  gave  her  consent  on  the  con¬ 
dition  that,  as  the  angel  had  assured  her,  she 
should  become  a  mother  only  by  the  overshadow- 
ing  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

o  */ 


Mary's  Chastity. 


177 


St.  Ambrose  says  that  “  whoever  has  preserved 
chastity  is  an  angel,  and  that  he  who  has  lost  it 
is  a  devil."  Our  Lord  assures  us  that  those  who 
are  chaste  become  angels:  They  shall  he  as  the 
angels  of  God  in  heaven.  (Matt.  xxii.  30.)  But 
the  impure  become  as  devils,  hateful  in  the  sight 
of  God.  Seldom,  as  we  have  alreadv  said  with 
St.  Augustine,  is  a  victory  gained  over  this  vice. 
But  why?  It  is  because  the  means  by  which  it 
may  be  gained  are  seldom  made  use  of. 

These  means  are  three,  according  to  Bellar- 
mine  and  the  masters  of  a  spiritual  life:  fast¬ 
ing,  the  avoidance  of  dangerous  occasions,  and 
prayer. 

1.  By  fasting  is  to  be  understood  especially 
mortification  of  the  eyes  and  of  the  appetite.  It 
is  said  that  from  her  very  childhood  the  modesty 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin  was  such  that  it  filled  every 
one  who  saw  her  with  astonishment. 

2.  The  second  means  is  to  fly  the  occasions  of 
sin:  He  that  is  aware  of  the  snares  shall  he  secure. 
(Prov.  xi.  15.)  Mary  fled  as  much  as  possible 
from  the  sight  of  men;  and  therefore  St.  Luke 
remarks  that  in  going  to  visit  St.  Elizabeth,  she 
went  with  haste  into  the  hill  country.  An  author 
observes  that  the  Blessed  Virgin  left  St.  Eliza¬ 
beth  before  St.  John  was  born,  as  we  learn  from 
the  same  Gospel,  where  it  is  said  that  Mary  abode 


178  The  Virtues  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

with  her  about  three  months,  and  she  returned  to  her 
own  house.  Now  Elizabeth" s  full  time  of  being 
delivered  was  come,  and  she  brought  forth  a  son. 
(Luke  i.  56.)  And  why  did  she  not  wait 
for  this  event?  It  was  that  she  might  avoid 
the  conversations  and  visits  which  would  accom¬ 
pany  it. 

3.  The  third  means  is  prayer.  And  as  I  knew, 
said  the  Wise  Man,  that  I  could  not  otherwise  be 
continent  except  God  gave  it  ...  I  went  to  the 
Lord  and  besought  him.  (Wisd.  viii.  21.)  The 
Blessed  Virgin  revealed  to  St.  Elizabeth  of  Hun¬ 
gary  that  she  acquired  no  virtue  without  effort 
and  continual  prayer.  St.  John  Damascene  says 
that  Mary  “  is  pure  and  a  lover  of  purity.”  Hence 
she  cannot  endure  those  who  are  unchaste.  But 
whoever  has  recourse  to  her  will  certainly  he  de¬ 
livered  from  this  vice,  if  he  only  pronounces  her 
name  with  confidence. 

0  Mary,  0  most  pure  dove,  how  many  are  now 
in  hell  on  account  of  this  vice!  Sovereign  Lady, 
obtain  us  the  grace  always  to  have  recourse  to 
thee  in  our  temptations,  and  always  to  invoke 
thee,  saying,  “  Mary,  Mary,  help  us.”  Amen. 


Mary's  Poverty. 


179 


VII. 

Mary’s  Poverty. 

Our  most  loving  Bedeemer,  that  we  might  learn 
from  him  to  despise  the  things  of  the  world,  was 
pleased  to  be  poor  on  earth:  Being  rich ,  says  St. 
Paul,  he  became  poor  for  your  sake,  that  through 
his  poverty  you  might  be  rich.  (II.  Cor.  viii.  9.) 
Therefore  doth  Jesus  Christ  exhort  each  one  who 
desires  to  he  his  disciple,  If  thou  wilt  be  perfect, 
go  sell  what  thou  hast,  and  give  to  the  poor  .  .  .  and 
come,  follow  me.  (Matt.  xix.  21.) 

Behold  Mary,  his  most  perfect  disciple,  who 
indeed  imitated  his  example.  Father  Canisius  , 
proves  that  Mary  could  have  lived  in  comfort  on 
the  property  she  inherited  from  her  parents,  but 
she  preferred  to  remain  poor,  and  reserving  only 
a  small  portion  for  herself,  distributed  the  rest 
in  alms  to  the  temple  and 'the  poor. 

The  gifts  received  from  the  holy  Magi  cannot 
certainly  have  been  of  small  value;  hut  we  are 
assured  by  St.  Bernard  that  she  distributed  them 
to  the  poor  through  the  hands  of  St.  Joseph. 
That  the  divine  Mother  immediately  disposed  of 
these  gifts  is  also  evident  from  the  fact  that  at  her. 
purification  in  the  Temple  she  did  not  offer  a 
lamb,  which  was  the  offering  prescribed  in  Leviti- 


180  The  Virtues  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

cus  for  those  who  could  afford  it,  for  a  son  she 
shall  bring  a  lamb  (Lev.  xii.  6);  hut  she  offered 
two  turtle-doves,  or  two  pigeons,  which  was  the 
oblation  prescribed  for  the  poor:  And  to  offer  a 
sacrifice,  according  as  it  was  written  in  the  law  of 
the  Lord,  a  pair  of  turtle-doves  or  two  young 
pigeons.  (Luke  ii.  2d.) 

Out  of  love  for  poverty  she  did  not  disdain  to 
marry  St.  Joseph,  who  was  only  a  poor  carpenter, 
and  afterwards  to  maintain  herself  by  the  work  of 
her  hands,  spinning  or  sewing,  as  we  are  assured 
by  St.  Bonaventure.  In  a  word,  she  always  lived 
poor,  and  she  died  poor;  for  at  her  death  we  do 
not  know  that  she  left  anything  but  two  poor 
gowns,  to  two  women  who  had  served  her  during 
her  life,  as  it  is  recorded  by  Metaphrastes  and 
Nicephoms. 

St.  Philip  VTeri  used  to  say  that  “he  who  loves 
the  things  of  the  world  will  never  become  a 
saint.”  We  may  add  what  St.  Teresa  said  on  the 
same  subject,  that  “it  justly  follows  that  he  who 
runs  after  perishable  things  should  also  himself 
be  lost.”  But,  on  the  other  hand,  she  adds  that 
the  virtue  of  poverty  is  a.  treasure  which  com¬ 
prises  in  itself  all  other  treasures.  She  says  the 
“'Virtue  of  poverty;  ”  for,  as  St.  Bernard  remarks, 
this  virtue  does  not  consist  only  in  being  poor, 
but  in  loving  poverty.  Therefore  did  Jesus 


Mary's  Obedience . 


181 


Christ  say,  Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit,  for  theirs 
is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  (Matt.  v.  3.)  They  are 
blessed  because  they  desire  nothing  but  God,  and 
in  God  they  find  every  good;  in  poverty  they  find 
their  paradise  on  earth,  as  St.  Francis  did  when 
he  exclaimed,  “  My  God  and  my  all.” 

Let  us,  then,  as  St.  Augustine  exhorts  us, 
“  love  that  one  good  in  which  all  good  things  are 
found/'  and  “  when  we  have  to  suffer  from  pov¬ 
erty,  let  us  console  ourselves,”  says  St.  Bonaven- 
ture,  “with  the  thought  that  Jesus  and  his 
Mother  were  also  poor  like  ourselves.” 

Ah,  my  most  holy  Mother,  thou  hadst  indeed 
reason  to  say  that  in  God  was  thy  joy:  and  my 
spirit  hath  rejoiced  in  God  my  Saviour ;  for  in  this 
world  thou  didst  desire  and  love  no  other  good  but 
God.  Draw  me  after  thee.  0  Lady,  detach  me 
from  the  world  that  I  may  love  him  alone,  who 
alone  deserves  to  be  loved.  Amen. 

VIII. 

Mary’s  Obedience. 

I 

When  the  angel  Gabriel  announced  to  Mary 
God’s  great  designs  upon  her,  she,  through  love 
for  obedience,  would  only  call  herself  a  hand¬ 
maid:  Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord.  (Luke  i. 
38.)  “  Yes,”  says  St.  Thomas  of  Villanova,  “  for 

this  faithful  handmaid  never,  in  either  thought 


182  The  Virtues  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

or  word  or  deed,  contradicted  the  Most  High;  but, 
entirely  despoiled  of  her  own  will,  she  lived 
always  and  in  all  things  obedient  to  that  of  God.” 
She  herself  declared  that  God  was  pleased  with 
her  obedience,  when  she  said,  He  hath  regarded 
the  humility  of  his  handmaid;  for  in  prompt 
obedience  it  is  that  the  humility  of  a  servant, 
properly  speaking,  consists.  St.  Irenaeus  says 
that  by  her  obedience  the  divine  Mother  repaired 
the  evil  done  by  Eve’s  disobedience:  “As  Eve,  by 
her  disobedience,  caused  her  own  death  and  that 
of  the  whole  human  race,  so  did  the  Virgin  Mary, 
by  her  obedience,  become  the  cause  of  her  own 
salvation  and  of  that  of  all  mankind.”  Mary’s 
obedience  was  much  more  perfect  than  that  of  all 
other  saints;  since  all  men,  on  account  of  original 
sin,  are  prone  to  evil  and  find  it  difficult  to  do 
good;  but  not  so  the  Blessed  Virgin.  St.  Bernar- 
dine  writes  that  “  because  Mary  was  free  from 
original  sin,  she  found  no  obstacle  in  obeying 
God;  she  was  like  a  wheel,  which  was  easily  turned 
by  every  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Hence,” 
continues  the  same  saint,  “  her  only  object  in 
this  world  was  to  keep  her  eyes  constantly  fixed 
on  God,  to  discover  his  will,  and,  when  she  had 
found  out  what  he  required,  to  perform  it.” 

Mary  well  proved  how  ready  she  was  to  obey 
in  all  things,  in  the  first  place  when,  to  please 


Mary's  Patience . 


183 


God,  she  obeyed  even  the  Homan  emperor,  and 
undertook  the  long  journey  of  at  least  seventy 
miles  to  Bethlehem  in  such  poverty  that  she  had 
to  give  birth  to  her  Son  in  a  stable.  She  showed 
equal  obedience  in  undertaking,  on  the  very  same 
night  on  which  she  had  notice  of  it  from  St. 
Joseph,  the  longer  and  more  difficult  journey  into 
Egypt.  But  above  all  she  showed  her  heroic 
obedience  when,  to  obey  the  divine  will,  she 
offered  her  Son  to  death.  So  that,  as  the  vener¬ 
able  Bede  tells  us,  Mary  was  indeed  blessed  in 
becoming  the  Mother  of  God,  but  that  she  was 
much  more  so  in  always  loving  and  obeying  the 
divine  will. 

Our  own  sweet  Queen,  then,  and  Mother,  inter¬ 
cede  with  Jesus  for  us;  by  the  merit  of  thine 
obedience  obtain  that  we  may  be  faithful  in  obey¬ 
ing  his  will  and  the  commands  of  our  spiritual 
fathers.  Amen. 


IX. 

Mary’s  Patience. 

This  world  being  a  place  of  merit,  is  rightly 
called  a  valley  of  tears;  for  we  are  all  placed  in  it 
to  suffer,  that  we  may,  by  patience,  gain  our  own 
souls  unto  life  eternal,  as  Our  Lord  himself  says: 
In  your  patience  you  shall  possess  your  souls. 
(Luke  xxi.  19.)  God  gave  us  the  Blessed  Virgin 


184  The  Virtues  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary . 

Mary  as  a  model  of  all  virtues,  but  more  espe¬ 
cially  as  an  example  of  patience.  St.  Francis  de 
Sales,  amongst  other  things,  remarks  that  it  was 
precisely  for  this  reason  that  at  the  marriage- 
feast  of  Cana  Jesus  Christ  gave  the  Blessed  Vir¬ 
gin  an  answer,  by  which  he  seemed  to  value  her 
prayers  but  little:  Woman,  wliat  is  that  to  thee  and 
to  me ?  (John  ii.  4.)  And  he  did  this  that  he 
might  give  us  the  example  of  the  patience  of  his 
most  holy  Mother.  But  what  need  have  we  to 
seek  for  instances  of  this  virtue?  Mary's  whole 
life  was  a  continual  exercise  of  her  patience;  for, 
as  the  angel  revealed  to  St.  Bridget,  “  as  a  rose 
grows  up  amongst  thorns,  so  did  the  Blessed  Vir¬ 
gin  grow  up  amongst  tribulations.”  Compassion 
alone  for  the  Redeemers  sufferings  sufficed  to 
make  her  a  martyr  of  patience.  Hence  St.  Bona- 
venture  says  “  that  a  crucified  Mother  conceived 
a  crucified  Son.”  In  speaking  of  her  dolors,  we 
have  already  considered  how  much  she  suffered, 
both  in  her  journey  to  Egypt  and  during  her  resi¬ 
dence  there,  as  also  during  the  time  she  lived 
with  her  Son  in  the  house  at  Nazareth.  What 
Mary  endured  when  present  at  the  death  of  Jesus 
on  Calvary  is  alone  sufficient  to  show  us  how  con¬ 
stant  and  sublime  was  her  patience:  There  stood  hy 
the  cross  of  Jesus  his  Mother. 

If  we,  then,  wish  to  be  the  children  of  Mary, 


Mary's  Patience. 


185 


we  must  endeavor  to  imitate  her  in  her  patience: 
“  For  what,”  says  St.  Cyprian,  “  can  enrich  us 
with  greater  merit  in  thi^  life,  and  greater  glory 
in  the  next,  than  the  patient  enduring  of  suffer¬ 
ings?^  God  said  by  the  prophet  Osee:  1  will 
hedge  up  thy  way  luith  thorns.  (Osee  ii.  6.) 

As  a  hedge  of  thorns  protects  a  vineyard,  so 
does  God  protect  his  servants  from  the  danger 
of  attaching  themselves  to  the  earth,  by  encom¬ 
passing  them  with  tribulations.  Therefore  St. 
Cyprian  concludes  that  it  is  patience  that  delivers 
us  from  sin  and  from  hell. 

It  is  also  patience  that  makes  saints:  Patience 
hath  a  perfect  work  (James  i.  4),  hearing  in  peace 
not  only  the  crosses  which  come  immediately 
from  God,  such  as  sickness,  poverty,  but  also 
those  which  come  from  men — persecutions,  in¬ 
juries,  and  the  rest.  St.  John  saw  all  the  saints 
bearing  palm  branches — the  emblem  of  martyr¬ 
dom — in  their  hands:  After  this  I  saw  a  great 
multitude ,  and  palms  were  in  their  hands  (Apoc. 
vii.  9);  thereby  denoting  that  all  adults  who  are 
saved  must  be  martyrs,  either  by  shedding  their 
blood  for  Christ  or  by  patience.  “  Rejoice  then,” 
exclaims  St.  Gregory;  “  we  can  be  martyrs  with¬ 
out  the  executioner's  sword,  if  we  only  preserve 
patience.”  “  Provided  only,”  as  St.  Bernard  says, 

we  endure  the  afflictions  of  this  life  with  pa- 


186  The  Virtues  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

tience  and  joy.”  0  what  fruit  will  not  every 
pain  borne  for  God’s  sake  produce  for  us  in 
heaven!  Hence  the  Apostle  encourages  us,  saying: 
That  which  is  at  present  momentary  and  light  of 
our  tribulation  worketh  for  us  above  measure  exceed¬ 
ingly  an  eternal  weight  of  glory.  (II.  Cor.  iv.  17.) 

St.  Teresa’s  instructions  on  this  subject  are 
beautiful.  She  used  to  say,  “  Those  who  embrace 
the  cross  do  not  feel  it;  ”  and  elsewhere,  “  that  if 
we  resolve  to  suffer  the  pain  ceases.”  When  our 
crosses  weigh  heavily  upon  us,  let  us  have  re¬ 
course  to  Mary,  who  is  called  by  the  Church  “  the 
Comfortress  of  the  afflicted.” 

Ah,  my  most  sweet  Lady,  thou  who  wast  inno¬ 
cent  did  suffer  with  so  much  patience;  and  shall 
I,  who  deserve  hell,  refuse  to  suffer?  My  Mother, 
I  now  ask  thee  this  favor — not,  indeed,  to  be  de¬ 
livered  from  crosses,  but  to  bear  them  with 
patience.  For  the  love  of  Jesus,  I  entreat  thee 
to  obtain  at  least  this  grace  for  me  from  God; 
from  thee  do  I  hope  for  it  with  confidence. 


X. 

The  Spirit  of  Prayer  and  Meditation  in  Mary. 

There  was  never  a  soul  on  earth  that  practised 
in  so  perfect  a  manner  as  the  Blessed  Virgin  the 
great  lesson  taught  by  Our  Saviour,  that  we  ought 


Mary's  Spirit  of  Prayer  and  Meditation.  187 

always  to  pray  and  not  to  faint.  (Luke  xviii.  1.) 
From  no  one,  says  St.  Bonaventure,  can  we  better 
take  example  and  learn  how  necessary  is  perse¬ 
verance  in  prayer  than  from  Mary:  “Mary  gave 
an  example  which  we  must  follow  and  not  faint;  ” 
for  Blessed  Albert  the  Great  asserts  that  after 
Jesus  Christ  the  divine  Mother  was  the  most 
perfect  in  prayer  of  all  who  ever  have  been  or 
ever  will  be.  Her  prayer  was  continual  and 
persevering.  Moreover,  she  prayed  with  the 
greatest  recollection  of  spirit,  free  from  every 
distraction  and  inordinate  affection,  nor  did  any 
exterior  occupation  ever  obscure  the  light  of  her 
unceasing  contemplation,  as  we  are  assured  by 
Denis  the  Carthusian. 

Through  love  for  prayer  the  Blessed  Virgin 
was  so  enamored  of  solitude  that,  as  she  told  St. 
Bridget,  when  she  lived  in  the  Temple  she  avoided 
even  intercourse  with  her  parents.  On  the  words 
of  the  prophet  #Isaias:  Behold  a  Virgin  shall  con¬ 
ceive  arid  hear  a  Son,  and  his  name  shall  he  called 
Emmanuel  (Is.  vii.  14),  St.  Jerome  remarks  that 
the  word  virgin,  in  Hebrew,  properly  signifies  a 
retired  virgin;  so  that  even  the  prophet  foretold 
the  affection  which  Mary  would  have  for  solitude. 
Bichard  of  St.  Laurence  says  that  the  angel  ad¬ 
dressed  her  in  these  words:  The  Lord  is  with  thee , 
on  account  of  her  great  love  for  retirement. 


188  The  Virtues  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

For  this  reason  St.  Vincent  Ferrer  asserts  that 
the  divine  Mother  “  only  left  her  house  to  go  to 
the  Temple,  and  then  her  demeanor  was  all  com¬ 
posed,  and  she  kept  her  eyes  modestly  cast  down.” 
From  this  St.  Ambrose  says  “  that  virgins  should 
learn  to  avoid  the  world.” 

Philo  assures  us  that  “  God  only  speaks  to  souls 
in  solitude.”  God  himself  declares  the  same 
thing  by  the  prophet  Osee:  I  will  lead  her  into 
the  wilderness,  and  I  will  speak  to  her  heart.  (Osee 
ii.  14.)  “0  happy  solitude!”  exclaims  St.  Jer¬ 

ome,  “  in  which  God  speaks  familiarly  and  con¬ 
verses  with  his  own.”  "Yes,”  says  St.  Bernard, 
"  for  solitude,  and  the  silence  which  is  there  en¬ 
joyed,  force  the  soul  to  leave  the  earth  in 
thought,  and  meditate  on  things  of  heaven.” 

Most  holy  Virgin,  do  thou  obtain  us  affection 
for  prayer  and  retirement,  that,  detaching  our¬ 
selves  from  the  love  of  creatures,  we  may  aspire 
only  after  God  and  heaven,  whore  we  hope  one 
day  to  see  thee,  to  praise  thee,  and  to  love  thee, 
together  with  Jesus,  thy  Son,  for  ever  and  ever. 
Amen. 


Come  over  to  me,  all  ye  that  desire  me,  and  he 
filled  with,  my  fruits.  (Ecclus.  xxiv.  26.)  Mary’s 
fruits  are  her  virtues.  “  Thou  hast  had  none 


Mary's  Spirit  of  Prayer  and  Meditation.  189 


like  thee,  nor  shalt  thou,  have  an  equal.  Thou 
alone  of  women  hast  above  all  pleased  Christ.” 

Salve ,  Regina ,  Mater  mis ericor dice !  Vita,  dul- 
cedo,  et  spes  nostra!  salve.  Ad  te  clamamus,. 
exules  filii  Evce.  Ad  te  suspiramus,  gementes  et 
flentes  in  hac  lacrymarum  valle.  Eia  ergo,  Advo- 
cata  nostra!  illos  tuos  misericordes  oculos  ad  nos 
converte.  Et  Jesum,  henedicturn  Fructum  ventris 
tui,  nobis  post  hoc  exilium  ostende,  o  clemens,  o  pia,. 
o  dulcis  Virgo  Maria! 

Hail,  0  Queen,  0  Mother  of  mercy!  hail  our 
life,  our  comfort,  and  our  hope.  We,  the  ban¬ 
ished  children  of  Eve,  cry  out  unto  thee.  To 
thee  we  send  up  our  sighs,  groaning  and  weeping 
in  this  vale  of  tears.  Come,  then,  our  advocate,, 
and,  look  upon  us  with  those  thy  pitying  eyes. 
And  after  this  our  banishment  show  us  Jesus, 
the  blessed  fruit  of  thy  womb;  0  merciful,  0  com¬ 
passionate,  0  sweet  Virgin  Mary. 


PART  SECOND. 


practice#  of  SDrfcotion  m  Donor  of  tijc  Dimnr 

fortieth 

“  The  Queen  of  heaven  is  so  gracious  and  liberal,” 
says  St.  Andrew  of  Crete,  “  that  she  recompenses  her 
servants  with  the  greatest  munificence  for  the  most 
trifling  devotions.”  Two  conditions,  however,  there 
are : 

The  first  is,  that  when  we  offer  her  our  devotions 
our  souls  should  be  free  from  sin.  In  the  first  part 
of  this  work  it  was  said  that  it  was  morally  impos¬ 
sible  for  a  client  of  Mary  to  be  lost;  but  this  must 
be  understood  on  condition  that  he  lives  either  with¬ 
out  sin,  or,  at  least,  with  the  desire  to  abandon  it; 
for  then  the  Blessed  Virgin  will  help  him.  But 
should  any  one,  on  the  other  hand,  sin  in  the  hope 
that  Mary  will  save  him,  he  thereby  would  render 
himself  unworthy  and  incapable  of  her  protection. 

Tho  second  condition  is  perseverance  in  devotion 
to  Mary :  “  Perseverance  alone,”  says  St.  Bernard, 
“  will  merit  a  crown.”  The  advice  given  by  the 
Venerable  John  Berchmans  of  the  Society  of  Jesus 
deserves  our  particular  attention.  When  this  holy 
young  man  was  dying  his  companions  entreated  him, 
before  he  left  this  world,  to  tell  them  what  devotion 
they  could  perform  which  would  be  most  agreeable 
to  our  blessed  Lady.  He  replied  in  the  following 

190 


The  Hail  Mary. 


191 


remarkable  words :  “  Any  devotion,  however  small, 
provided  it  is  constant.” 


The  Hail  Mary. 

This  angelical  salutation  is  most  pleasing  to 
the  ever-blessed  Virgin;  for,  whenever  she  hears 
it,  it  would  seem  as  if  the  joy  which  she  experi¬ 
enced  when  St,  Gabriel  announced  to  her  that 
she  was  the  chosen  Mother  of  God,  was  renewed 
in  her;  and  with  this  object  in  view  we  should 
often  salute  her  with  the  “  Hail  Mary.”  “  Salute 
her,”  says  Thomas  a  Kempis,  “  with  the  angelical 
salutation;  for  she  indeed  hears  this  sound  with 
pleasure.” 

To  practise  this  devotion: 

1.  We  can  every  morning  and  evening  on  rising 
and  going  to  bed  say  three  “  Hail  Marys,”  and 
add  to  each  “  Hail  Mary  ”  this  short  prayer:  0 
Mary ,  by  thy  pure  and  immaculate  conception,  make 
my  body  pure  and  my  soul  holy. 

.2.  We  can  say  the  “Angelus  ”  with  the  usual 
three  “  Hail  Marys  ”  in  the  morning,  at  midday, 
and  in  the  evening.  Pope  J ohn  XXII.  was  the  first 
to  grant  an  indulgence  for  this  devotion.  In 
1724  Benedict  XIII.  granted  a  hundred  days’  in¬ 
dulgence  to  all  who  recite  it,  and  a  plenary  indul¬ 
gence  once  a  month  to  those  who  during  that 


192 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


time  have  recited  it  daily  as  above,  on  condition 
of  going  to  confession  and  receiving  the  holy 
Communion  and  praying  for  the  usual  intentions. 
Father  Crasset  says  that  Clement  X.  granted 
other  indulgences  to  those  who,  at  the  end  of 
each  “  Hail  Mary,”  add  “  Thanks  he  to  God  and 
to  Mary.”  Formerly,  at  the  sound  of  the  hell, 
all  knelt  down  to  say  the  “Angelus;  ”  hut  in  the 
present  day  there  are  some  who  are  ashamed  to 
do  so.  St.  Charles  Borromeo  was  not  ashamed 
to  leave  his  carriage  or  get  off  his  horse  to  say 
the  “Angelus  ”  in  the  street,  and  even  sometimes 
in  the  mud.  In  consequence  of  a  rescript  of 
Pius  VI.  of  March  18,  1781,  these  indulgences 
can  he  obtained  also  by  the  faithful  when  they 
are  where  the  “Angelus  ”  is  not  rung  or  cannot 
be  heard,  if  they  say  the  prayers  at  the  respective 
hours.  Here  we  must  remark  that  Benedict  XIV. 
directed  that  in  paschal  time,  instead  of  saying 
the  “Angelus  ”  we  should  say  the  “  Regina  coeli;  ” 
and  that  on  Saturday  evenings  and  the  whole  of 
Sunday  the  “Angelus  ”  should  be  said  standing. 

3.  In  going  out  and  returning  to  the  house  we 
can  salute  the  Blessed  Virgin  with  a  “  Hail 
Mary.”  We  should  reverence  every  image  of 
Mary  which  we  pass  with  a  “Hail  Mary.”  By 
command  of  the  holy  Church  all  the  canonical 
hours  are  preceded  by  a  “  Hail  Mary  ”  and  eon- 


The  Hail  Mary. 


193 


eluded  with  it;  we  therefore  do  well  to  begin  and 
end  all  our  actions  with  a  “  Hail  Mary,”  whether 
they  are  spiritual,  such  as  prayer,  confession,  and 
Communion,  spiritual  reading,  hearing  sermons, 
and  the  like;  or  temporal,  such  as  study,  giving 
advice,  working,  going  to  table,  to  bed,  etc. 
Happy  are  those  actions  that  are  enclosed  be¬ 
tween  two  “  Hail  Marys.”  So  also  should  we  do 
on  waking  in  the  morning,  on  closing  our  eyes 
to  sleep,  in  every  temptation,  in  every  danger,  in 
every  inclination  to  anger,  and  the  like. 

4.  The  Blessed  Virgin  revealed  to  a  devout 
soul  that  she  was  much  pleased  at  being  honored 
by  her  servants  with  the  following  devotion, 
called  the  Little  Chaplet  of  the  Blessed  Trinity: 

I  render  Thee  thanks,  0  Eternal  Father!  for 
the  power  that  Thou  hast  given  to  Mary,  Thy 
daughter. 

Our  Father ,  Hail  Mary ,  Glory  be  to  the  Father , 
etc. 

I  render  Thee  thanks,  0  Eternal  Son!  for  the 
wisdom  that  Thou  hast  given  to  Mary,  Thy 
Mother. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be  to  the  Father, 
etc. 

I  render  Thee  thanks,  0  Eternal  Spirit!  for 
the  love  that  Thou  hast  given  to  Mary,  Thy 
Spouse. 


194 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Our  Father ,  Hail  Mary ,  Glory  be  to  the  Father , 
etc. 

My  dear  reader,  do  this,  and  you  will  see  the 
immense  advantage  that  you  will  derive  from  it. 
Remember  also  that  for  every  “  Hail  Mary  ”  there 
is  an  indulgence  of  thirty  days. 


Fasting. 

It  is  well  known  that  Saturday  is  dedicated  by 
the  holy  Church  to  Mary,  because,  as  St.  Bernard 
says,  on  that  day,  the  day  after  the  death  of  her 
Son,  she  remained  constant  in  faith.  Therefore 
Mary’s  clients  are  careful  to  honor  her  on  that 
day  by  some  particular  devotion,  and  especially 
by  fasting,  as  did  St.  Charles  Borromeo,  Cardinal 
Tolet,  and  so  many  others.  If  our  health  does 
not  permit  us  to  fast,  at  least  we  should  on  Sat¬ 
urdays  content  ourselves  with  one  dish,  or  abstain 
from  fruit,  or  something  for  which  we  have  a 
relish.  On  Saturdays  we  should  always  practise 
some  devotion  in  honor  of  our  blessed  Lady,  re¬ 
ceive  holy  Communion,  or  at  least  hear  Mass, 
visit  an  image  of  Mary,  or  something  of  that  sort. 
But  at  least  on  the  vigils  of  her  seven  principal 
festivals  her  clients  should  offer  her  this  fast  or 
honor  her  otherwise  as  best  they  can. 


Conf  raternities  of  our  Blessed  Lady. 


195 


The  Visiting  of  the  Images  of  Mary. 

The  holy  Church  has  defended  the  sacred 
images  even  with  the  blood  of  martyrs;  and  the 
divine  Mother  has  shown  by  prodigies  how  pleas¬ 
ing  to  her  are  the  visits  paid  to  her  images. 
Hence  all  Mary’s  clients  often  visit  with  great 
affection  her  images  and  the  churches  dedicated 
in  her  honor.  These  are  precisely,  according  to 
St.  John  Damascene,  the  cities  of  refuge  in 
which  we  can  find  safety  from  temptations  and 
the  chastisements  that  we  have  deserved  for  our 
sins.  Let  us  not  think  it  too  much  to  visit  our 
Queen  every  day  in  some  church  or  chapel,  or 
even  in  our  own  house,  where  for  this  purpose  it 
would  he  well  to  have  in  a  retired  part  a  little 
oratory,  with  her  image,  which  should  be  kept 
decorated  with  drapery,  flowers,  tapers,  or  lamps; 
and  before  it  we  should  also  recite  her  litany,  the 
rosary,  etc. 

Confraternities  of  our  Blessed  Lady. 

St.  Francis  de  Sales,  with  great  earnestness, 
exhorts  all  seculars  to  join  the  confraternities  of 
the  Blessed  Virgin.  What  pains,  moreover,  did 
not  St.  Charles  Borromeo  take  to  establish  and 
multiply  these  confraternities?  In  his  synods  he 


196 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


particularly  recommends  confessors  to  engage 
their  penitents  to  join  them.  And  with  good 
reason;  for  these  sodalities,  especially  those  of 
our  blessed  Lady,  are  so  many  btoe’s  arks,  in 
which  poor  seculars  find  a  refuge  from  the  deluge 
of  temptations  and  sins  which  inundate  the  world. 
We,  from  the  experience  of  our  missions,  well 
know  the  utility  of  these  confraternities.  The 
reason  that  confraternities  do  so  much  good  is 
that  in  them  the  members  acquire  many  weapons 
of  defence  against  hell,  and  put  in  practice  the 
requisite  means  of  preservation  in  divine  grace, 
wdrich  are  seldom  made  use  of  by  seculars  who  are 
not  members  of  these  confraternities.  But  those 
who  frequent  the  meetings  of  their  confraterni¬ 
ties  are  led  to  think  of  these  truths  by  the  many 
meditations,  lectures  and  sermons  they  there 
hear:  My  sheep  hear'  my  voice.  (John  x.  27.) 

To  save  one’s  soul,  prayer  is  necessary:  Ash,  and 
you  shall  receive  (ib.  xvi.  24);  this  the  members  of 
the  confraternities  do  constantly.  God  also 
hears  their  prayers  the  more  readily;  for  he  has 
himself  said  that  he  grants  graces  more  willingly 
to  prayers  offered  up  in  common.  In  confrater¬ 
nities  the  sacraments  are  most  likely  to  be  fre¬ 
quented,  both  on  account  of  thei  rules  and  the 
example  which  is  given  by  the  other  members. 
Besides  the  frequentation  of  the  sacraments  in 


Several  other  Practices  in  Honor  of  Mary.  197 

these  confraternities,  many  acts  of  mortification, 
humility,  and  charity  towards  the  sick  brethren 
and  the  poor  are  performed.  Well  would  it  he  if 
this  holy  custom  of  assisting  the  sick  poor  of  the 
place  were  introduced  into  all  confraternities. 

We  have  already  said  how  profitable  it  is  for  our 
salvation  to  serve  the  Mother  of  God:  and  what 
else  do  the  members  do  in  the  confraternity  but 
serve  her?  From  the  very  beginning,  the  brothers 
are  consecrated  to  her  service;  they  choose  her  in 
an  especial  manner  for  their  sovereign  Lady  and 
Mother;  hence  as  they  are  her  servants  and  chil¬ 
dren  in  an  especial  manner,  in  an  especial  manner 
are  they  treated  by  her,  and  she  protects  them  in 
life  and  in  death.  It  need  not  be  added  that  the 
object  which  a  brother  should  first  of  all  have  in 
view  should  be  no  other  than  to  serve  God  and  his 
holy  Mother,  and  to  save  his  soul. 

Several  other  Practices  in  Honor  of  Mary. 

Of  all  devotions,  there  is  none  so  pleasing  to  our 
Mother  as  that  of  having  frequent  recourse  to  her 
intercession,  seeking  her  help  in  all  our  wants;  for 
example,  when  we  have  to  give  or  ask  advice,  in 
dangers,  afflictions,  and  temptations;  and  particu¬ 
larly  in  temptations  against  purity.  The  divine 
Mother  will  then  certainly  deliver  us,  if  we  have 
recourse  to  her  by  saying  the  antiphon,  “  We  fly  to 


198 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


tliy  patronage/’  etc.;  or  with  the  “  Hail  Mary;  ”  or 
by  only  invoking  the  most  holy  name  of  Mary. 

It  is  well  also  to  know  that  Benedict  XIII. 
granted  fifty  days’  indulgence  to  those  who 
pronounce  the  names  of  Jesus  and  Mary. 

Clients  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  are  accustomed  to 
give  alms  to  the  poor  in  honor  of  the  divine 
Mother,  especially  on  Saturdays.  Let,  therefore, 
no  one  think  it  too  much  to  give  a  trifling  alms 
every  day  in  her  honor,  and  to  increase  it  on 
Saturdays.  If  they  can  do  nothing  else,  they 
should  at  least  perform  some  other  act  for  the  love 
of  Mary;  such  as  visiting  the  sick,  praying  for  sin¬ 
ners,  and  for  the  souls  in  purgatory,  etc.  Works 
of  mercy  are  very  pleasing  to  the  heart  of  this 
Mother  of  mercy. 

To  say  or  hear  Mass,  or  to  have  Mass  said,  in 
honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  It  is  true  that  the 
holy  sacrifice  of  the  Mass  can  be  offered  to  God 
alone,  to  whom  it  is  offered  principally  as  an 
acknowledgment  of  his  supreme  dominion,  but  the 
sacred  Council  of  Trent  says  that  this  does  not 
prevent  it  from  being,  at  the  same  time,  offered  to 
God  in  thanksgiving  for  the  graces  granted  to  the 
saints  and  to  his  most  holy  Mother,  that  whilst  we 
are  mindful  of  them,  they  may  deign  to  intercede 
for  us.  And  for  this  reason  at  Mass  we  say,  “  That 
it  may  avail  to  their  honor,  but  to  our  salvation.” 


Several  other  Practices  in  Honor  of  Mary.  199 

To  reverence  the  saints  who  are  more  nearly 
related  to  Mary,  as  St.  Joseph,  St.  Joachim,  and 
St.  Anne.  We  should  also  honor  the  saints  who 
were  most  devoted  to  the  divine  Mother,  such  as 
St.  John  the  Evangelist,  St.  John  the  Baptist,  St. 
Bernard,  St.  John  Damascene  the  defender  of  her 
images,  St.  Ildephonsus  the  defender  of  her  virgin¬ 
ity,  etc. 

To  read  every  day  a  book  that  treats  of  the 
glories  of  Mary;  to  preach,  or  at  least  to  try  to 
instil  into  all,  and  particularly  our  relatives,  devo¬ 
tion  to  the  divine  Mother  and  to  pray  every  day 
for  the  most  devoted  clients  of  Mary,  both  living 
and  dead. 

We  should  also  remember  the  many  indulgences 
granted  by  sovereign  pontiffs  to  those  who  in 
various  ways  honor  the  Queen  of  heaven.  1.  To 
whoever  says,  “  Blessed  be  the  holy  and  immacu¬ 
late  conception  of  the  Blessed  A7irgin  Mary,”  Pius 
YI.  granted  for  each  time  an  indulgence  of  one 
hundred  days.  Father  Crasset  says  that  other  in¬ 
dulgences  applicable  to  the  souls  in  purgatory  have 
been  granted  to  those  who  after  the  word  “ immac¬ 
ulate ”  add  “and  most  pure.”  2.  For  the  Salve 
Begina,  forty  days’  indulgence.  3.  For  the  Litany 
of  Foretto,  three  hundred  days’  indulgence.  4. 
To  those  who  bow  their  heads  on  hearing  the 
names  of  Jesus  and  Mary,  twenty  days’  indulgence. 


200 


Practices  of  Devotion . 


5.  To  those  who  say  the  “  Our  Father”  and  the 
“  Hail  Mary  ”  five  times,  in  honor  of  the  Passion 
of  J esus  and  the  sorrows  of  Mary,  many  and  great 
indulgences. 

Here,  for  the  convenience  of  devout  souls,  are 
indicated  other  indulgences  granted  by  sovereign 
pontiffs  for  other  devotions.  1.  For  hearing 
Mass  there  are  many  indulgences.  2.  For  mak¬ 
ing  the  acts  of  faith,  hope,  charity,  and  contri¬ 
tion,  with  the  intention  of  receiving  the  holy 
sacraments  during  life  and  in  death,  Benedict 
XIII.  granted  an  indulgence  of  seven  years  and 
seven  quarantines,  and  a  plenary  indulgence  once 
a  month  applicable  to  the  souls  in  purgatory,  and 
for  one’s  self  in  the  hour  of  death  to  those  who 
have  made  these  acts  every  day  for  a  month. 
3.  To  those  who  meditate  for  half  an  hour  every 
day  Benedict  XI V.  granted  many  indulgences, 
and  a  plenary  one  once  a  month,  on  condition  of 
approaching  the  sacraments  of  Penance  and  the 
Holy  Eucharist.  4.  To  those  who  say  the  prayer 
Anima  Christi,  three  hundred  days’  indulgence. 
5.  To  those  who  accompany  the  holy  viaticum, 
five  years  and  five  times  forty  days,  if  without  a 
wax-light;  and  if  with  one,  seven  years  and  seven 
quarantines;  to  those  who  cannot  accompany  it, 
but  say  a  “  Pater  ”  and  an  “Ave  *'  for  the  inten¬ 
tion  of  the  sovereign  pontiff,  one  hundred  days. 


Several  other  Practices  in  Honor  of  Mary.  20 1 

6.  To  those  who  visit  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  and 
say  before  it  the  “  Our  Father/’  “  Hail  Mary,” 
and  “  Glory  be/’  each  five  times,  and  another  “  Our 
Father,”  “  Hail  Mary,”  and  “  Glory  be  ”  for 
peace  and  union  among  Christian  princes,  for 
the  extirpation  of  heresy,  for  the  conversion 
of  sinners,  and  for  the  triumph  of  holy  Church, 
an  indulgence  of  three  hundred  days,  each 
time.  7.  To  priests  who  before  saying  Mass 
sav  tire  prayer  Ego  volo  celebrare  missam,  fifty 
days.  8.  To  those  who  recite  the  “  De  pro- 
fun  dis  ”  on  their  knees  at  the  ringing  of  the 
“Angelus,”  one  hundred  days.  Those  who  en¬ 
deavor  to  gain  these  indulgences  must  be  careful 
to  dispose  themselves  by  an  act  of  contrition. 
To  conclude,  in  the  beautiful  words  of  St.  Ber- 
nardine  of  Sienna  :  “  0  Lady,  blessed  amongst  all 
women,  thou  art  the  honor  of  the  human  race 
and  the  salvation  of  our  people.  Thy  merits 
have  no  limits,  and  thou  hast  full  power  over  all 
creatures.  Thou  art  the  Mother  of  God,  the 
sovereign  Lady  of  the  world,  and  the  Queen  of 
heaven.  Thou  art  the  dispenser  of  all  graces  and 
the  ornament  of  the  holy  Church.  Thou  art  the 
model  of  the  just,  the  consolation  of  the  saints, 
and  the  root  of  our  salvation.  Thou  art  the  joy 
of  paradise,  the  gate  of  heaven,  the  glory  of  God. 
Behold,  we  have  announced  thy  praises.  We  be- 


202 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


seech  thee,  then,  0  Mother  of  mercy,  to  supply 
for  our  weakness,  to  excuse  our  presumption,  to 
accept  our  services,  to  bless  our  labors,  by  im¬ 
printing  thy  love  in  the  hearts  of  all;  that  after 
having  honored  and  loved  thy  Son  on  earth,  we 
may  praise  him  and  bless  him  forever  in  heaven. 
Amen/’ 


Ejaculatory  Prayers. 

Mother  of  God,  remember  me. 

O  Virgin  and  Mother,  grant  that  I  may  always 
remember  thee. 

Holy  Virgin  Mary,  Mother  of  God,  pray  to  Jesus 
for  me. 

O  Lady,  grant  that  Jesus  may  never  cast  me  off. 

O  Mary,  may  my  heart  never  cease  to  love  thee, 
and  my  tongue  never  cease  to  praise  thee. 

O  Lady,  by  the  love  which  thou  bearest  to  Jesus, 
help  me  to  love  him. 

O  Mary,  be  graciously  pleased  to  make  me  thy 
servant. 

O  Mary,  I  give  myself  to  thee  without  reserve ;  do 
thou  accept  and  preserve  me. 

O  Mary,  abandon  me  not  until  death. 

Hail  Mary,  my  Mother. 

Holy  Mary,  my  Advocate,  pray  for  me. 

In  thee  from  my  whole  heart  I  have  placed  my 
hope. 

It  is  not  possible,  O  Lady,  that  thou  shouldst 
abandon  him  who  has  placed  his  hopes  in  thee. 

Hail,  Daughter  of  God  the  Father,  hail,  Mother 
of  God  the  Son ;  hail,  Spouse  of  God  the  Holy 
Ghost;  hail,  Temple  of  the  whole  Trinity. 


Novenas. 


203 


The  Little  Office  and  the  Litany. 

As  to  the  little  office  of  the  Blessed  Virgin, 
which  is  said  to  have  been  composed  by  St.  Peter 
Damian,  Pius  V.  granted  indulgences  to  those 
who  recited  it;  and  the  Blessed  Virgin  has  many 
times  shown  how  acceptable  this  devotion  is  to 
her,  as  may  be  seen  in  Father  Auriemma’s  little 
work. 

She  is  also  much  pleased  with  the  Litany  of 
Loretto,  for  reciting  which  there  is  an  indulgence 
of  three  hundred  days  each  time;  and  for  those 
who  say  it  every  day,  a  plenary  indulgence  on 
Mary’s  five  principal  festivals — the  Immaculate 
Conception,  Nativity,  Annunciation,  Purification, 
and  Assumption,  on  the  usual  conditions.  The 
hymn,  Are  marls  Stella,  “  Hail  Star  of  the  Sea,” 
is  also  very  pleasing  to  Mary;  she  desired  St. 
Bridget  to  say  it  every  day;  but  still  more  is  she 
pleased  with  the  Magnificat;  for  we  then  praise 
her  in  the  very  words  in  which  she  herself  praised 
God. 

Novenas. 

Devout  clients  of  Mary  celebrate  the  novenas, 
or  nine  days  preceding  her  festivals.  The  fol¬ 
lowing  devotions  are  some  of  those  which  may  be 
used  during  the  novenas: 


201 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


1.  We  may  make  mental  prayer  in  the  morning: 
and  evening  and  a  visit  to  the  Blessed  Sacrament* 
adding  nine  times  the  “  Our  Father,  Hail  Mary, 
and  Glory  be  to  the  Father/7  and  read  every  day 
of  the  novena  some  hook  that  treats  of  her 
glories. 

2.  We  may  perform  some  external  mortifica¬ 
tion;  we  can  also  fast,  or  at  table  abstain  from 
fruit,  or  some  favorite  dish,  at  least  a  part  of  it. 
On  the  vigil  of  the  feast  we  may  fast  on  bread  and 
water:  but  none  of  these  things  should  be  done 
without  the  permission  of  our  confessor.  Inte¬ 
rior  mortifications,  however,  are  the  best  of  all 
to  practise  during  these  no  vena  s,  such  as  to  avoid 
looking  at  or  listening  to  things  out  of  curiosity; 
to  remain  in  retirement;  observe  silence;  be 
obedient;  not  give  impatient  answers;  bear  con¬ 
tradictions,  and  such  things;  which  can  all  be 
practised  with  less  danger  of  vanity,  with  greater 
merit,  and  which  do  not  need  the  confessors  per¬ 
mission.  The  most  useful  exercise  is  to  propose 
from  the  beginning  of  the  novena  to  correct  some 
fault  into  which  we  fall  the  most  frequently. 
The  devotion  most  dear  and  pleasing  to  Mary  is 
to  endeavor  to  imitate  her  virtues;  therefore  it 
would  be  well  always  to  propose  to  ourselves  the 
imitation  of  some  virtue  that  corresponds  to  the 
festival;  as,  for  example,  on  the  Feast  of  her  Im- 


Novenas. 


205 


maculate  Conception,  purity  of  intention;  on  her 
Nativity,  renewal  of  the  spirit,  to  throw  off  tepid¬ 
ity;  on  her  Presentation,  detachment  from  some¬ 
thing  to  which  we  are  most  attached;  on  her  An¬ 
nunciation,  humility  in  supporting  contempt;  on 
her  Visitation,  charity  towards  our  neighbor,  in 
giving  alms,  or  at  least  in  praying  for  sinners;  on 
her  Purification,  obedience  to  superiors;  and  in 
fine,  on  the  Feast  of  her  Assumption,  let  us  en¬ 
deavor  to  detach  ourselves  from  the  world,  do  all 
to  prepare  ourselves  for  death,  and  regulate  each 
day  of  our  lives  as  if  it  were  to  be  our  last. 

3.  Besides  going  to  Communion  on  the  day  of 
the  feast,  it  would  be  well  to  ask  leave  from  our 
confessor  to  go  more  frequently  during  the 
novena.  Father  Segneri  used  to  say  that  we  can¬ 
not  honor  Mary  better  than  with  Jesus.  We  can 
offer  her  nothing*  that  is  more  pleasing  to  her 
than  the  Holy  Communion;  for  in  that  Holy 
.'Sacrament  it  is  that  Jesus  gathers  the  fruit  of 
his  Passion  in  our  soul.  On  the  day  of  the  feast, 
after  Communion,  we  must  offer  ourselves  to  the 
service  of  this  divine  Mother,  and  ask  of  her  the 
grace  to  practise  the  virtue,  or  whatever  other 
grace  we  had  proposed  to  ourselves,  during  the 


novena. 


MEDITATIONS  ON  THE  LITANY  OF 
LORETTO,  FOR  A  NOVENA  TO  THE 
BLESSED  VIRGIN. 


MEDITATION  I. 

i. 

Santta  Maria,  ora  pro  nobis.  “  Holy  Mary, 
pray  for  us.” — Since,  in  the  Litany  of  onr 
blessed  Lady,  the  Church  teaches  us  to  ask  this 
good  Mother  so  many  times  to  pray  for  us,  it  will 
be  well,  before  meditating  upon  the  titles  by  which 
she  is  invoked,  to  consider  the  great  power  which 
her  prayers  have  with  God.  Blessed  is  that  person 
for  whom  Mary  prays.  Jesus  rejoices  when  his 
most  beloved  Mother  prays  to  him,  that  he  may 
have  the  pleasure  of  granting  her  all  she  asks. 
Mary  has  only  to  speak,  and  her  Son  grants  her  all 
that  she  asks.  Let  us,  therefore,  pray  to  this 
divine  Mother  without  ceasing  if  we  wish  to  secure 
our  eternal  salvation;  and  let  us  address  her  in  the 
words  of  St.  Andrew  of  Crete: 


206 


Meditations  on  the  Litany. 


207 


“  We  beseech  thee,  therefore,  0  holy  Virgin,  to 
grant  us  the  help  of  thy  prayers  with  God;  prayers 
that  are  more  precious  than  all  the  treasures  of  the 
world;  prayers  that  obtain  for  us  a  very  great 
abundance  of  graces;  prayers  that  confound  all 
enemies  and  triumph  over  their  strength." 

ii. 

Sancta  Maria.  “  Holy  Mary.” — The  name  of 
Mary  is  a  name  of  salvation.  This  name  came  not 
of  earth,  but  from  heaven:  hence  St.  Epiphanius 
says  that  it  was  not  given  to  Mary  by  her  parents, 
but  was  imposed  on  her  by  the  express  will  of  God. 
Therefore  it  is  that,  after  the  name  of  Jesus,  the 
name  of  Mary  is  above  every  other  name;  for  God 
has  filled  it  with  grace  and  sweetness  that  every 
blessing  may  be  obtained  by  him  who  names  it. 
St.  Bernard  says,  “  0  Mary,  thou  canst  not  be 
named  without  inflaming  the  heart  of  him  who 
does  so  with  love  for  thee."  St.  Bonaventure 
says  that  the  name  of  Mary  cannot  be  invoked 
without  profit  to  him  who  does  so.  Above  all, 
this  name  has  power  to  overcome  the  temptations 
of  hell. 

Ah,  my  Lady,  had  I  always  invoked  thee  in  my 
temptations,  I  should  not  have  fallen.  For  the 
future  I  will  never  cease  to  invoke  thee,  saying, 
“Mary,  help  me;  Mary,  succor  me.”  And  do  thou 


208 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


obtain  me  the  grace  always  to  invoke  thee  in  time 
of  spiritual  danger. 


ill. 

Sancta  Dei  Genitrix.  “  Holy  Mother  of 
God.” — If  the  prayers  of  the  saints  are  very  power¬ 
ful  with  God,  how  great  must  be  the  power  of 
those  of  Mary!  The  former  are  the  prayers  of  ser¬ 
vants,  the  latter  the  prayers  of  a  mother  and  have 
something  of  the  force  of  a  command  with  Jesus 
Christ.  Hence  St.  Antoninus  concludes  that  it  is 
impossible  for  the  Son  not  to  grant  a  grace  for 
which  the  Mother  asks.  St.  Bernard,  therefore, 
exhorts  us  to  ask  for  every  grace  which  we  desire 
from  God  through  Mary.  “  Let  us  seek  for  grace, 
and  seek  it  by  Mary."  And  why?  “  Because  she 
is  a  mother,  and  is  always  graciously  heard.” 

0  great  Mother  of  God,  pray  to  Jesus  for  me. 
Behold  the  miseries  of  my  soul  and  pity  me. 
Pray,  and  never  cease  to  pray,  until  thou  seest  me 
safe  in  paradise.  0  Mary,  thou  art  my  hope; 
abandon  me  not.  “  Holy  Mother  of  God,  pray 
for  us.” 

MEDITATION  II. 

i. 

Mater  divince  gratice.  “  Mother  of  Divide 
Grace.” — St.  Anselm  calls  Mary  “  the  Mother  of 


Meditations  on  the  Litany. 


209 


all  graces;  ”  and  Blessed  Raymond  Jordano,  “  The 
treasurer  of  divine  grace."  Hence  St.  Bernardine 
of  Sienna  writes  that  “  all  the  gifts  and  graces 
that  we  receive  from  God  are  dispensed  by  the 
hands  of  Mary,  to  whom,  when,  and  as  she 
pleases.”  This  she  herself  says:  With  me  are 
riches  .  .  .  that  I  may  enrich  them  that  love  me. 
(Prov.  viii.  18.)  “  Our  Lord  has  deposited  all  the 

riches  of  his  graces  in  my  hands  that  I  may  enrich 
those  who  love  me.” 

Then,  my  Queen,  if  I  love  thee,  I  no  longer  shall 
he  poor  as  I  am.  After  God,  I  love  thee  above  all 
things:  do  thou  obtain  me  greater  tenderness  and 
love  for  thy  goodness.  St.  Bonaventure  tells  me 
that  all  whom  thou  wiliest  are  saved;  therefore 
will  I  address  thee  with  the  same  saint,  “  0  salva¬ 
tion  of  all  who  call  upon  thee,  save  me  from 
hell :  ”  but  first  of  all,  save  me  from  sin,  which 
alone  can  take  me  to  hell. 

ii. 

Mater  purissima.  “  Mother  most  pure.” — 
This  Virgin  Mother,  all  fair  and  pure,  renders  all 
her  servants  pure  and  chaste.  St.  Ambrose 
writes  that  when  Mary  was  on  earth  her  presence 
alone  inspired  all  those  who  looked  at  her  with 
a  love  of  purity.  She  was  called  a  lily  amongst 
thorns:  As  the  lily  among  thorns,  so  is  my  love 


210 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


among  the  daughters.  (Cant.  ii.  2.)  “All  other 
virgins/’  says  Denis  the  Carthusian,  “  were  thorns 
either  to  themselves  or  to  others;  but  the  Blessed 
Virgin  was  so  neither  to  herself  nor  to  others,  for 
she  inspired  all  those  upon  whom  she  looked  with 
pure  and  holy  affections.”  Frigenius,  who  wrote 
the  life  of  St.  Thomas  Aquinas,  relates  that  it 
was  an  ordinary  saying  of  the  saint  that  “  even 
the  images  of  this  chaste  turtle-dove  extinguish 
sensual  desires  in  those  who  look  at  them  with 
devotion.”  The  Venerable  John  D’ Avila  says 
“  that  many  who  were  tempted  against  purity  had 
preserved  themselves  chaste  by  devotion  to  our 
blessed  Lady.”  0,  how  especially  powerful  is  the 
name  of  Mary  in  conquering  all  temptations  to 
this  vice! 

0  most  pure  Mary,  deliver  me  from  it.  Grant 
that  in  my  temptations  I  may  always  have  re¬ 
course  to  thee,  and  invoke  thee  as  long  as  the 
temptation  lasts. 

hi. 

Mater  inviolata.  “  Mother  undefiled.” — 
Mary  was  that  spotless  woman  who  always  ap¬ 
peared  beautiful  and  without  stain  in  the  eyes  of 
God:  Thou  art  all  fair,  0  my  love,  and  there  is  not 
a  spot  in  thee.  (Cant.  iv.  7.)  Hence  she  was 
made  the  sinner’s  peacemaker,  as  she  is  called  by 


Meditations  on  the  Litany. 


211 

St.  Ephrem,  “  Hail,  peacemaker  of  the  whole 
world!"  This  she  also  says  herself  in  the  sacred 
Canticles:  I  am  become  in  his  presence  as  one  find¬ 
ing  peace.  St.  Gregory  says  “  that  if  a  rebel  ap¬ 
peared  before  his  offended  king  to  appease  him, 
instead  of  doing  so  he  would  provoke  him  to 
greater  anger.'7  Hence  Mary  being  destined  to 
treat  of  peace  between  God  and  men,  it  was  not 
becoming  that  she  should  appear  as  a  sinner  and 
as  an  accomplice  in  Adam's  sin;  and  therefore 
Our  Lord  preserved  her  from  every  stain. 

Ah,  my  immaculate  Queen,  fair  dove,  and  the 
beloved  of  God,  disdain  not  to  cast  thine  eyes  on 
the  many  stains  and  wounds  of  my  soul:  see  me, 
and  pity  me.  God,  who  loves  thee  so  much,  de¬ 
nies  thee  nothing;  and  thou  knowest  not  how  to 
refuse  those  who  have  recourse  to  thee.  0  Mary, 
to  thee  I  have  recourse;  pity  me.  “  Mother  invio¬ 
late,  pray  for  us. 77 


MEDITATION  III. 

i. 

Mater  amabilis.  “  Mother  most  amiable.77 — 
Richard  of  St.  Laurence  says  “  that  Mary  was 
amiable  in  the  eyes  of  God  himself.77  How  beau¬ 
tiful  art  thou ,  my  love!  how  beautiful  thou  art! 
(Cant.  iv.  1.)  Hence  he  called  her  his  only  dove. 


212 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


his  only  perfect  one:  One  is  my  dove;  my  perfect 
one  is  but  one.  (Cant.  vi.  8.)  “  It  is  certain/7  as 

Father  Suarez  says.  “  that  Clod  loved  Mary  more 
than  all  the  other  saints  together;  and  with  rea¬ 
son;  for  she  alone  loved  Clod  more  than  all  men 
and  all  angels  have  ever  loved  him.77 

0  most  beantifnl  Mary,  0  most  amiable  Mary, 
thou  hast  gained  the  heart  of  God;  take  also  my 
poor  heart,  and  make  me  a  saint.  I  love  thee;  in 
thee  is  my  confidence.  “  Most  amiable  Mother, 
pray  for  us.'7 


II. 

Mater  Salvator  is.  “  Mother  of  oitr  Re¬ 
deemer.” — For  two  reasons  Mary  can  be  called 
the  Saviour  of  the  world  and  our  Mediatress; 
that  is,  the  Mediatress  of  grace,  as  Jesus  Christ 
is  the  Mediator  of  justice.  First,  on  account  of 
the  consent  which  she  gave  at  the  Incarnation  of 
the  Eternal  Word;  for  by  that  consent,  St.  Ber- 
nardine  says,  “  she  procured  us  salvation.77  Sec¬ 
ondly,  by  the  consent  which  Mary  gave  to  the 
death  of  her  Son,  in  which  she  expressed  her 
willingness  that  he  should  be  sacrificed  on  the 
cross  for  our  salvation. 

I  remind  thee,  then,  0  Mother  of  my  Saviour, 
that  thou  didst  once 'offer  the  life  of  the  Son  to 
God;  save  me  now  by  thy  intercession. 


Meditations  on  the  Litany. 


213 


ill. 

Virgo  veneranda.  “Virgin  most  venerable.” 
— St.  Anselm  says  “  that  when  we  say  that  Mary 
is  the  Mother  of  God,  we  speak  of  a  dignity  which 
is  above  every  other  dignity  that  can  be  named 
or  thought  of,  after  that  of  God;”  therefore  he 
says,  “  0  Lady,  nothing  equals  thee;  for  all  is 
either  above  thee,  and  this  is  God  alone,  or  be¬ 
neath  thee,  and.  this  is  all  that  is  not  God.”  In 
fine,  St.  Bernardine  writes  “  that  God  alone  can 
know  the  greatness  of  Mary.”  This  great  Mother 
of  God  is,  then,  indeed  worthy  of  our  veneration, 
since  God  himself  Could  not  have  made  her 
greater  than  he  diet  when  he  made  her  his 
Mother. 

0  Mother  of  God,  my  Mother  Mary,  I  venerate 
thee,  and  would  wish  thee  to  be  venerated  by  all 
hearts,  as  the  exalted  Lady  that  thou  art.  Pity  a 
poor  sinner  who  loves  thee  and  trusts  in  thee. 
“  A7irgin  most  venerable,  pray  for  us.” 

MEDITATION  IV. 

i. 

Virgo  prcedicanda.  “  Virgin  most  renowned.” 
— The  holy  Church  proclaims  that  this  divine 
Mother  is  “most  worthy  of  every  praise;  '7  for,  as 
St.  Ildephonsus  says,  “all  praise  that  is  given 


214 


Practices  of  Devotion . 


to  the  Mother  redounds  to  the  honor  of  the 
Son/”  Therefore  Richard  of  St.  Laurence  writes 
that  “  all  who  honor  her  in  this  world  will  be 
honored  by  her  in  the  next.”  St.  Anselm  says 
“that  as  Mary,  by  becoming  the  Mother  of  God, 
was  the  means  of  the  salvation  of  sinners,  so  are 
sinners  saved  by  proclaiming  her  praises.”  All 
cannot  be  jireachers,  but  all  can  praise  her  and 
speak  to  relatives  and  friends  in  familiar  conversa¬ 
tion  of  the  merits  of  Mary,  of  her  powers  and 
mercy,  and  thus  lead  them  to  devotion  towards 
this  divine  Mother. 

0  Queen  of  heaven,  from  this  time  forward  I 
am  determined  to  do  all  tl\at  I  can  to  cause  thee 
to  he  venerated  and  loved  by  all.  Accept  my  desire 
and  help  me  to  execute  it;  in  the  mean  time  in¬ 
scribe  me  in  the  number  of  thy  servants,  and  never 
permit  me  again  to  become  a  slave  of  Lucifer. 

ii. 

Virgo  potens .  “Virgin  most  powerful.” — 
And  who  amongst  the  saints  is  as  powerful  with 
God  as  his  most  holy  Mother?  She  obtains  all 
that  she  pleases.  “  Thou  wiliest,”  says  St.  Ber¬ 
nard,  “  and  all  is  done.”  Thus  does  the  Son  honor 
his  beloved  Mother  by  granting  her  whatever  she 
asks,  even  in  favor  of  sinners.  Hence  St.  Ger- 
manus  says,  “  Thou,  0  Mother  of  God,  art  omnip- 


Meditations  on  the  Litany. 


215 


otent  to  save  sinners,  and  needest  no  other  recom¬ 
mendation  with  God,  for  thou  art  the  Mother  of 
true  life.” 

0  Mary,  thou  canst  make  me  a  saint;  I  rely  on 
thee. 


nr. 

Virgo  clemens.  “  Virgin-  most  merciful.” — 
Mary  is  as  clement  and  merciful  toward  those  who 
have  recourse  to  her  intercession  as  she  is  powerful 
with  God.  St.  Bernard  says  “  that  since  the  power 
to  save  us  cannot  be  wanting  to  Mary,  as  she  is  the 
Mother  of  God,  so  neither  can  the  will  he  wanting 
to  her,  for  she  is  our  Mother.”  Mho  is  there 
that  ever  had  recourse  to  Mary  and  was  aban¬ 
doned?  “  Let  him  cease  to  praise  thy  mercy,”  says 
the  same  St.  Bernard,  “who  remembers  having 
ever  invoked  thee  without  being  graciously  heard.” 
St.  Bonaventure  writes  es  that  Mary  has  so  great 
a  desire  to  be  invoked  by  us  that  she  may  dis¬ 
pense  her  favors  to  us  in  greater  abundance, 
that  she  is  not  only  offended  by  those  who 
speak  ill  of  her,  but  also  by  those  who  neglect  to 
ask  her  for  grace.”  Thus,  to  obtain  her  help,  we 
are  not  obliged  to  pray  much  to  this  Mother  of 
mercv;  it  is  enough  to  ask  for  it  with  confidence. 
“  Her  mercy,”  says  Richard  of  St.  Victor,  “  comes 
to  our  aid  before  we  invoke  it;”  and  he  tells  us 


216 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


why:  “  It  is  because  she  cannot  know  and  see  our 
miseries  without  relieving  them.” 

See,  them,  0  Mary,  see  my  miseries  and  help  me. 
“  Virgin  most  merciful,  pray  for  us.” 

MEDITATION  V. 

i. 

Virago  fidelis.  “  Virgin  most  faithful.” — 
Blessed  is  he  who  by  his  prayers  watches  by  the 
gate  of  Mary,  as  the  poor  wait  at  the  door  of  the 
rich  to  obtain  relief.  Blessed  is  the  man,  Mary 
says,  that  heareth  me,  and  that  watcheth  daily  at  my 
gates.  (Prov.  viii.  31.)  0  that  we  were  as  faith¬ 

ful  to  serve  this  divine  Mother  as  she  is  faithful  to 
relievo  us  when  we  pray  to  her!  Mary  promises 
that  all  who  serve  and  honor  her  shall  be  free  from 
sin  and  obtain  eternal  life:  They  that  work  by  me 
shall  not  sin.  They  that  explain  me  shall  have  life 
everlasting .  (Ecclus.  xxiv.  30.)  She  invites  all  to 
have  recourse  to  her,  and  promises  them  every 
grace  that  they  desire:  In  me  is  all  grace  of  the 
way  and  of  the  truth ;  in  me  is  all  hope  of  life  and 
of  virtue ;  come  over  to  me,  all  ye  that  desire  me. 
(Ib.  25.)  St.  Laurence  Justinian  applies  to 
Mary  that  other  text  of  Ecclesiasticus,  her  bands 
are  a  healthful  binding  (Ecclus.  vi.  31);  and  then 
adds,  “  wherefore  bands,  unless  to  bind  her  ser- 


Meditations  on  the  Litany.  217 

vants,  that  they  may  not  stray  in  the  fields  of 
sin.”  Mary  binds  her  servants  that  they  may 
not  give  themselves  too  much  liberty,  which 
would  cause  their  ruin, 

0  Mother  of  God,  in  thee  do  I  place  all  my 
confidence;  thou  must  preserve  me  from  falling 
any  more  into  sin.  My  Lady,  abandon  me  not, 
obtain  me  the  grace  rather  to  die  than  to  lose 
the  grace  of  God. 

ii. 

Causa  nostrce  Jcetitice.  “  Cause  of  our  joy.” — 
As  the  dawn  is  a  cause  of  joy  after  the  darkness 
and  gloom  of  night,  so  was  the  birth  of  Mary, 
who  is  our  dawn,  a  cause  of  joy  to  the  world 
which,  before  the  coming  of  Jesus  Christ,  had 
been  for  four  thousand  years  immersed  in  the 
darkness  of  sin.  A  holy  Father  says  “  that  in 
the  birth  of  Mary  the  dawn  appeared.”  The 
dawn  is  the  forerunner  of  the  sun,  and  Mary  was 
the  precursor  of  the  Incarnate  Word,  the  Sun  of 
Justice,  the  Redeemer,  who,  by  his  death,  deliv¬ 
ered  us  from  eternal  death.  With  reason  the 
Church  sings,  on  the  Nativity  of  Mary,  “  Thy 
birth,  0  holy  Mother  of  God,  announced  joy  to 
the  whole  world.”  And  as  Mary  was  the  begin¬ 
ning  of  our  joy,  so  she  is  also  its  completion;  for 
St.  Bernard  says  “  that  Jesus  Christ  deposited 


218 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


the  whole  price  of  our  redemption  in  the  hands 
of  Mary;  that  every  grace  which  we  receive,  we 
may  receive  it  from  her.” 

0  Mother  of  God,  thou  art  my  joy  and  my 
hope;  for  thou  deniest  thy  graces  to  no  one,  and 
thou  obtainest  all  that  thou  wiliest  from  God. 

in. 

V as  insigne  d&ootionis.  “  Vessel  of  singular 
devotion.” — Devotion,  as  St.  Thomas  teaches, 
consists  in  the  readiness  with  which  our  will  con¬ 
forms  itself  to  the  will  of  God.  This  was  the 
principal  virtue  which  rendered  his  most  holy 
Mother  so  dear  to  God.  That  flower  which 
always  turns  towards  the  sun  is  a  real  type  of 
Mary.  The  divine  will  was  alone  the  aim  and 
satisfaction  of  the  heart  of  Mary;  as  she  herself 
proclaimed:  My  spirit  hath  rejoiced  in  God  my 
S  amour. 

0  blessed  art  thou  my  Lady,  who  wast  always, 
and  in  all,  united  to  the  divine  will.  Obtain  for 
me  the  grace  to  spend  the  rest  of  my  life  in  con¬ 
stant  conformity  to  the  will  of  God. 

IV. 

Turris  eburnea.  “  Tower  of  Ivory.” — Thus 
is  Mary  also  called,  Thy  neck  is  as  a  tower  of  ivory . 
(Cant.  vii.  4.)  Mary  is  called  a  neck,  for  she  is 
the  mystic  neck  through  which  the  vital  spirits. 


Meditations  on  the  Litany. 


219 


that  is,  the  divine,  help  which  preserves  in  ns  the 
life  of  grace,  are  transmitted  from  Jesus  Christ 
the  Head  to  us  the  faithful,  who  are  members  of 
the  mystic  body  of  the  Church.  St.  Bernardine 
savs:  “The  life-giving  graces  flow  from  Christ 
the  Head,  through  the  Blessed  Virgin,  into  his 
mystic  body."  The  saint  then  adds  “  that  from 
the  time  when  Mary  conceived  the  Incarnate 
Word,  she  received  the  great  honor  from  God 
that  no  one  should  receive  any  grace  otherwise 
than  through  her  hands."  In  fine,  ivory  is  greatly 

c?  -7  J  O  J 

esteemed  and  is  strong.  Hence  the  Abbot  Ru¬ 
pert  writes  of  Mary  “  that  as  a  tower  of  ivory 
she  is  beloved  by  God  and  terrible  to  the  devil.” 

Then,  0  my  sovereign  Lady,  because  thou  art 
so  beloved  of  God,  thou  canst  obtain  us  every 
grace;  and  because  thou  art  terrible  to  the  evil 
spirits,  thou  canst  deliver  us  from  all  their  snares. 
Have  mercy  on  us,  who  glory  in  living  under  thy 
protection. 

MEDITATION  VI. 

i. 

Damns  aurea.  “  House  of  Gold.” — Gold  is  a 
symbol  of  love.  Therefore  Blessed  Albert  the 
Great  calls  Mary  “  a  golden  temple  of  charity.” 
And  with  reason;  for  St.  Thomas  says  that  “  as 


220 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


all  in  the  Temple  was  covered  with  gold,  so  was 
everything  in  the  beautiful  soul  of  Mary  filled 
with  sanctity.”  Mary  was  the  house  of  gold 
which  Eternal  Wisdom,  that  is,  the  divine  Word, 
chose  for  his  dwelling  on  earth:  Wisdom  hath  built 
herself  a  house.  (Prov.  ix.  1.)  “  This  House  of 

gold,”  says  Richard  of  St.  Laurence,  “  is  so  rich 
that  it  can  relieve  all  our  wants." 

0  Mary,  thou  lovest  Clod  so  much,  and  there¬ 
fore  thou  desirest  to  see  him  loved  by  all.  This 
is  the  grace  which  above  all  others  I  ask  of  thee, 
and  which  I  hope  from  thee;  obtain  me  great 
love  for  God. 


MEDITATION  VII. 

i. 

Posa  mystica.  “Mystical  Rose.” — Of  Mary 
it  is  said  in  the  sacred  Canticles  that  she  was  the 
enclosed  Garden  of  God:  My  sister,  my  spouse ,  is 
a  garden  enclosed.  (Cant.  iv.  12.)  St.  Bernard 
writes  “that  Our  Lord  planted  all  the  flowers 
which  adorn  the  Church  in  this  garden;  and 
amongst  others  the  violet  of  humility,  the  lily  of 
purity,  and  the  rose  of  charity.”  “  A  rose  is  red, 
and  of  a  fiery  color,”  says  Blessed  Raymond  Jor- 
dano,  “which  denotes  love  of  God  and  of  our  neigh¬ 
bor;”  therefore  on  account  of  the  ardent  love 


Meditations  on  the  Litany. 


221 


with  which  the  heart  of  Mary  was  always  inflamed 
towards  God  and  ns,  she  is  called  a  rose.  And 
where  can  we  find  an  advocate  who  is  more  ear¬ 
nest  in  the  affair  of  our  salvation,  or  who  loves 
us  more  than  Mary?  “We  acknowledge,”  says 
St.  Augustine  of  her,  “  that  one  alone  is  solici¬ 
tous  for  us  in  heaven.” 

0  my  dear  Mother,  could  I  but  love  thee  as 
thou  lovest  me!  I  will  not,  however,  cease  to  do 
all  that  I  can  to  honor  and  love  thee.  My  most 
sweet  Lady,  do  thou  obtain  for  me  grace  to  be 
faithful  to  thee. 

ii. 

Turns  Davidica.  “  Tower  of  David.” — Mary 
is  called  in  the  sacred  Canticles  the  Tower  of 
David:  Thy  neck  is  as  the  tower  of  David ;  a 
thousand  bucklers  hang  upon  it;  all  the  armor  of 
valiant  men.  (Cant.  iv.  4.)  St.  Bernardine  says 
that  the  tower  of  David  stood  on  high,  that  is,  on 
Sion;  therefore  Mary  is  called  the  tower  of  David 
to  denote  the  height  of  the  perfection  of  this 
great  creature:  “As  Sion  was  a  very  elevated  spot, 
so  was  the  Blessed  Virgin  most  exalted.”  There¬ 
fore  of  Mary  it  is  said  in  the  Psalms  that  the 
very  beginning  of  her  sanctity  was  more  exalted 
than  the  mountains:  The  foundations  thereof  are 
in  the  holy  mountains  (Ps.  lxxxvi.  1).  St.  Gregory 


222 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


explains  it  to  mean  that  the  divine  Mother  was 
more  holy  in  the  first  moment  of  her  life  than 
any  of  the  saints  were  at  the  moment  of  their 
death. 

Alp  my  Queen  and  Mother,  I  rejoice  in  thy 
greatness,  and  am  willing  rather  to  sacrifice  my 
life  than  that  thy  glory  should  be  diminished  in 
the  least  degree,  were  such  a  thing  possible.  0 
that  I  could  only  by  shedding  every  drop  of  my 
blood  cause  all  nations  of  the  earth  to  adore  thee 
and  love  thee  as  the  great  Lady  which  thou  art! 

in. 

Foederis  area.  “Ark  of  the  Covenant.” — 
Hesychius  calls  Mary  “  an  ark  more  spacious 
than  that  of  Noe;  ”  for  in  the  ark  of  Noe  only 
two  animals  of  every  kind  were  received,  but 
under  the  mantle  of  Mary  the  just  and  sinners 
find  place.  The  Blessed  Virgin  herself  said  to 
St.  Bridget,  “  However  much  a  man  may  have 
sinned,  if  he  returns  to  me  with  a  real  purpose 
of  amendment,  I  am  ready  at  once  to  receive  him; 
neither  do  I  pay  attention  to  the  sins  with  which 
he  is  laden;  but  only  to  the  good  disposition  in 
which  he  comes;  and  then  I  do  not  disdain  to 
anoint  and  heal  his  wounds,  for  I  am  called  and 
truly  am  the  Mother  of  mercy. ” 

0  Mother  of  mercy,  will  I  then  say  to  thee,  in 


Meditations  on  the  Litany. 


223 


the  words  of  St.  Bernard,  “  Remember  that  it 
has  never  been  heard  of  in  any  age  that  any  sin¬ 
ner  who  had  recourse  to  thee  was  rejected  by 
thee.”  I,  a  miserable  sinner,  have  recourse  to 
thee  and  trust  in  thee. 


IV. 

Janua  cceli.  “  Gate  of  Heaven.” — Mary  is 
called  the  “  Gate  of  Heaven,”  because,  as  St. 
Bonaventure  declares,  “  no  one  can  enter  heaven 
unless  by  Mary,  as  through  a  door.”  Our  Queen 
says:  My  power  is  in  Jerusalem.  (Ecclus.  xxiv. 
15.)  Richard  of  St.  Laurence  adds:  “Command¬ 
ing  what  I  will  and  introducing  whom  I  will,”  I 
can  obtain  whatever  I  please  for  my  clients,  and 
introduce  all  whom  I  please  into  paradise. 
Hence  St.  Bonaventure  writes  that  “  those  who 
enjoy  the  favor  of  Mary  are  recognized  by  the 
citizens  of  heaven;  and  those  who  bear  her  stamp, 
that  is,  have  the  grace  to  be  her  servants,  are 
inscribed  in  the  Book  of  Life.”  For  this  reason 
Bernardine  de  Bustis  calls  Mary  “  the  Book  of 
Life,”  and  says  that  whoever,  by  this  devotion,  is 
written  in  this  book  is  certain  to  be  saved. 

Ah,  my  Mother,  in  thee  do  I  repose  my  hope 
of  eternal  salvation.  I  love  thee;  do  thou  save 
me;  never  allow  a  servant  of  thine  who  loves  thee 
to  go  to  blaspheme  thee  in  hell. 


224 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


MEDITATION  VIII. 

I. 

Stella  matutina.  “  Morning  Star.” — St.  John 
Damascene  calls  Mary  “  the  Star  which  indicates 
the  rising  of  the  snn.77  As  the  morning  star  pre¬ 
cedes  the  sun,  so  does  devotion  towards  the  most 
blessed  Virgin  precede  the  sun  of  divine  grace; 
for  St.  Germanus  says  that  “  devotion  in  a  soul 
towards  Mary  is  a  sign  either  that  if  is  already 
in  a  state  of  grace,  or  that  it  will  very  soon  be  so/7 
Our  Lady  is  also  called  “  the  Star  of  the  Sea  77  by 
the  Church;  for,  as  St,  Thomas  explains  it,  “  as 
mariners,  in  tempestuous  weather,  are  guided  by 
the  star  of  the  sea  into  port,  so  are  souls  guided 
by  Mary  over  the  sea  of  this  world  into  paradise/7 
Hence  St.  Bernard  warns  us,  saying:  “  If  you  do 
not  wish  to  be  lost  in  the  storm  of  temptations,, 
turn  not  your  eyes  from  this  star  of  salvation.77 
He  then  continues:  “  If  you  follow  Mary,  you  will 
not  go  astray;  if  Mary  protects  you,  you  cannot 
fear  to  be  lost;  if  Mary  favors  you,  you  will  reach 
paradise.77 

ii. 

Salus  infirmorum.  “  Health  of  the  Weak.77 
— Mary  is  called  by  St.  Simon  Stock  “  the  medi¬ 
cine  of  sinners;77  and  by  St.  Ephrem  not  only 


Meditations  on  the  Litany. 


225 


medicine,  but  health  itself:  “  Bobust  health  for 
those  who  have  recourse  to  her.”  Hence  those 
who  have  recourse  to  Mary  not  only  find  in  her  a 
remedy,  but  health  itself;  and  this  she  herself 
promises  to  all  who  seek  her:  He  that  shall  find 
me  shall  find  life,  and  shall  have  salvation  from  the 
Lord.  (Prov.  viii.  35.)  Neither  let  us  fear  that, 
on  account  of  the  bad  odor  of  our  wounds,  she 
may  refuse  to  take  care  of  us:  she  is  our  Mother; 
and  as  a  mother  does  not  shrink  from  dressing 
the  wound  of  her  child,  neither  does  this  celes¬ 
tial  physician  refuse  to  hear  servants  who  have 
recourse  to  her.  Wherefore  St.  Bernard  says: 

“  0  Mother  of  God,  thou  dost  not  disdain  a 
sinner,  however  loathsome  he  may  be:  if  he  sends 
up  his  sighs  to  thee,  thou  wilt  deliver  him  with 
thine  own  hand  from  despair/’ 


hi. 


Refugium  peccatorum.  “  Refuge  of  Sinners.” 
— Thus  is  Mary  called  by  St.  Germanus;  he  says, 
“  She  is  the  ever-ready  refuge  of  sinners.”  Yes, 
of  all  sinners;  for,  as  the  Abbot  of  Celles  says, 
“  she  can  despise  no  sinner,  but  receives  all,  and 
welcomes  all,  the  moment  they  have  recourse  to 
her.”  Hence  St.  John  Damascene  affirms  that 
Mary  is  not  only  the  refuge  of  the  innocent,  but 
also  of  the  wicked,  who  implore  her  protection: 


226 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


l:  I  am  a  city  of  refuge  to  all  who  fly  to  me.” 
Therefore  St.  Bonaventure  says  to  her:  “  Thou 
embracest  with  maternal  affection  a  sinner  who 
is  even  despised  by  the  whole  world,  nor  dost 
thou  cease  thine  embrace  until  thou  hast  recon¬ 
ciled  him  with  his  .judge/'  By  this  the  saint 
gives  us  to  understand  that  a  sinner  being  hated 
by  God  is  also  odious  and  abominable  to  all  crea¬ 
tures;  but  if  he  has  recourse  to  Mary,  the  refuge 
of  sinners,  not  only  she  does  not  despise  him,  but 
embraces  him  with  affection,  and  does  not  leave 
him  until  her  Son  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  our  J udge, 
has  forgiven  him. 

Since,  then,  0  my  Lady,  thou  art  the  refuge 
of  all  sinners,  thou  art  also  my  refuge.  Thou, 
who  despisest  no  one  who  has  recourse  to  thee, 
despise  me  not,  who  recommend  myself  to  thee: 
“  Befuge  of  sinners,  pray  for  us."  0  Mary,  pray 
for  us,  and  save  us. 

MEDITATION  IX. 

i. 

Consolatrix  afflictorum.  “  Comfortress  of  the 
afflicted.” — St.  Germanus  says:  ci  0  Mary,  who, 
after  thy  Son,  is  as  solicitous  for  the  whole 
human  race  as  thou  art?  who  protects  us  in  our 
trials  as  thou  dost? "  Who,  0  Mary,  watches 


Meditations  on  the  Litany. 


227 


over  our  interests  as  thou  dost?  who  is  solicitous 
as  thou  art  for  us  in  our  afflictions?  “  No/’  re¬ 
plies  St.  Antoninus;  u  no  saint  can  be  found  who 
compassionates  us  in  our  miseries  as  does  this 
most  tender  Lady,  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.” 
And  as  the  miseries  which  afflict  us  the  most  are 
disorders  of  the  soul,  Blessed  Henry  Suso  calls 
Mary  “  the  most  faithful  comfortress  of  sinners/' 

%j 

We  need  only  show  Mary  the  wounds  of  our  souls, 
and  she  immediately  helps  us  by  her  prayers,  and 
consoles  us.  Nay,  even  as  Richard  of  St.  Victor 
writes,  her  compassion  anticipates  our  wants,  and 
she  relieves  us  before  we  invoke  her.  Let  us 
say,  then,  with  St.  Bonaventure: 

“  0  Mary,  console  us  always,  but  especially  at 
the  hour  of  our  death:  come  at  that  last  hour  and 
receive  our  souls,  and  present  them  thyself  to 
thy  Son,  who  will  judge  us.” 

ii. 

Auxilium  Christianorum.  “  Help  of  Chris¬ 
tians.” — St.  John  Damascene  calls  Mary  “  the 
prepared  and  always  ready  help  of  Christians,  by 
which  they  are  delivered  from  dangers.”  The 
help  of  Mary  is,  as  St.  Cosmas  of  Jerusalem 
writes,  “  all-powerful  to  deliver  us  from  sin  and 
hell.”  St.  Bernard,  addressing  Mary,  says: 
“  Thou  art  an  invincible  warrior  in  defence  of 


228 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


thy  servants,  fighting  against  the  devils  who  as¬ 
sail  them.”  For  this  reason  she  is  called  an 
army  in  the  sacred  Canticles:  tliou  art  .  .  .  ter¬ 
rible  as  an  army  set  in  array.  (Cant.  vi.  3.) 

Ah,  my  Queen,  had  I  always  had  recourse  to 
thee,  I  should  never  have  been  conquered  by  my 
enemies;  henceforth  thou  shalt  be  my  strength: 
in  my  temptations  I  will  always  have  recourse  to 
thee;  from  thee  do  I  hope  for  victory. 

hi. 

Regina  Martyrum.  “  Queey  of  Martyrs.” — 
With  reason  is  Mary  called  the  Queen  of  mar¬ 
tyrs,  for  her  martyrdom  in  the  death  of  her  Son 
on  the  cross  exceeded  the  sufferings  of  all  the 
martyrs.  There  stood  by  the  cross  of  Jesus  his 
Mother.  (John  xix.  25.)  Mothers  fly  from  their 
children  when  they  see  them  dying  and  are  un¬ 
able  to  help  them.  Mary  did  not  fly,  hut  re¬ 
mained  with  Jesus  until  she  saw  him  expire. 
She  stood  by  the  cross ,  and  whilst  Jesus  was  in  his 
agony  she  offered  the  life  of  her  Son  to  the  Eter¬ 
nal  Father  for  our  salvation;  but  in  doing  so  she 
also  was  in  an  agony,  and  experienced  a  torment 
greater  than  any  death. 

0  my  afflicted  Mother,  he  graciously  pleased, 
by  the  merit  of  the  sorrows  which  thou  didst  en¬ 
dure  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  to  obtain  for  me 


Meditations  on  the  Litany. 


229 


true  sorrow  for  my  sins  and  love  for  Jesus  my 
Redeemer;  and  by  the  sword  which  transpierced 
thy  heart  when  thou  didst  see  him  bow  down 
his  head  and  expire,  I  beseech  thee  to  help  me 
at  the  hour  of  my  death,  and  then  to  obtain  me 
eternal  salvation,  that  I  may  love  thee  with  thy 
Jesus  forever. 


THE  FEASTS  OF  MARY  AND  THEIR 
APPROPRIATE  DEVOTIONS. 


THE  FEAST  OF  THE  IMMACULATE 
CONCEPTION. 

(December  8th.) 

HISTORICAL  EXPLANATION. 

A  record  of  this  feast  is  found  in  the  office 
of  the  Greek  Church  as  far  back  as  406.  It  was 
then  celebrated  on  December  9th.  The  Latin 
Church  began  to  celebrate  it  about  the  middle 
of  the  eighth  century.  In  the  year  1047  it  was 
kept  as  a  holy  day  in  England,  and  Anselm, 
Bishop  of  Canterbury,  ordered  its  celebration  in 
his  diocese.  At  first  its  celebration  was  left  to 
the  choice  of  the  people,  but  later  a  Council  in 
London,  in  1328,  ordered  it  to  be  solemnly  kept. 
About  the  same  time  its  celebration  was  begun  in 
France.  In  Germany  St.  Norbertus  is  said  to 
have  been  the  most  fervent  promoter  of  the  cele- 

230 


The  Feast  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  231 


bration  of  this  feast.  Finally,  in  the  year  1476, 
Pope  Sixtus  IV.  issued  two  bulls  in  which  he 
ordered  the  whole  Church  to  celebrate  the  feast 
and  had  an  office  composed  for  it,  but  he  did  not 
make  it  a  universal  holy  day.  Clement  VIII. 
made  of  it  a  feast  of  the  second  class;  Clement 
IX.  added  the  octave  to  its  celebration;  and 
Clement  XI.  raised  it  to  a  holy  day  of  obligation. 
Pius  V.  enriched  it  with  many  indulgences,  and 
Pius  IX.,  at  a  Council  held  in  Rome  on  December 
8,  1854,  at  which  over  two  hundred  bishops  and 
prelates  were  present  from  all  parts  of  the  world, 
declared  the  mystery  of  the  Immaculate  Concep¬ 
tion  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  to  be  one  of  the 
articles  of  faith  of  the  Holy  Catholic  Church. 

NO  VEX  A  FOR  THE  FEAST  OF  THE 
IMMACULATE  COXCEPTIOX. 

(Xovena  begins  Xovember  29th  and  ends 
December  7th.) 

AT  THE  BEGINNING  OF  THE  NOVENA. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  fill  the  hearts  of  Thy  faith¬ 
ful  and  kindle  in  them  the  tire  of  Thy  love. 

F.  Send  forth  Thy  Spirit  and  they  shall  be 
created. 

B.  And  Thou  shalt  renew  the  face  of  the 
earth. 


232 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Let  us  Pray. 

0  God.,  Who  hast  taught  the  hearts  of  Thy 
faithful  people  by  the  light  of  Thy  Holy  Spirit; 
grant  US;  in  the  same  Spirit,  to  relish  what  is 
right  and  evermore  to  rejoice  in  his  holy  comfort. 
Through  Christ  Our  Lord. 

B.  Amen. 

PREPARATORY  PRAYER  FOR  EVERY  DAY  OF  THE 

NOVENA. 

Virgin  most  pure,  conceived  without  sin,  from 
the  first  moment  of  thy  conception  fair  and  stain¬ 
less;  glorious  Mary,  full  of  grace,  Mother  of  my 
God,  Queen  of  angels  and  of  men!  I  humbly 
venerate  thee  as  the  Mother  of  my  Saviour,  who, 
though  he  was  God,  taught  me  by  his  own  ven¬ 
eration,  reverence,  and  obedience  to  thee  the 
honor  and  homage  that  I  owe  thee.  Vouchsafe, 
I  pray  thee,  to  accept  the  novena  which  I  dedi¬ 
cate  to  thee.  Thou  art  the  safe  refuge  of  the 
penitent  sinner;  fit,  then,  it  is  that  I  should  have 
recourse  to  thee.  Thou  art  the  Mother  of  mercy; 
will  not,  then,  my  miseries  so  manifold  move  thee 
to  compassion?  Mary,  my  sole  hope  after  Jesus, 
thou  canst  not  but  accept  the  loving  trust  which 
I  have  in  thee;  make  me  worthy  to  he  called  thy 
son,  that  with  confidence  I  may  cry  to  thee:  Show 
thyself  a  mother. 


The  Feast  of  the  Immaculate  Conception .  233 

Say  the  “  Hail  Mary  ”  nine  times  and  the  “  Glory 
be  to  the  Father  ”  once,  then  the  prayer  for  the  day. 

First  Day. 

Lo,  at  thy  sacred  feet  I  bow,  Virgin  immacu¬ 
late,  the  while  my  heart  overflows  with  joy  in  nnion 
with  thy  own,  because  from  eternity  thou  wast  the 
Mother-elect  of  the  Eternal  Word  and  wast  pre¬ 
served  stainless  from  the  taint  of  Adam’s  sin. 
Forever  praised,  forever  blessed  be  the  Most  Holy 
Trinity,  who  in  thy  conception  poured  out  upon 
thy  soul  the  riches  of  that  matchless  privilege. 
I  humbly  pray  thee,  gracious  Mother,  obtain  for 
me  the  grace  to  overcome  the  bitter  results  of 
original  sin.  Ah,  yes!  make  me  victorious  over 
them,  that  I  may  never  cease  to  love  my  God. 

Then  say  the  Litany  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  or  else : 

F.  All  fair  art  thou,  0  Mary! 

B.  All  fair  art  thou,  0  Mary! 

V.  The  original  stain  is  not  in  thee. 

B.  The  original  stain  is  not  in  thee. 

V.  Thou  art  the  glory  of  Jerusalem. 

B.  Thou  art  the  joy  of  Israel. 

V.  Thou  art  the  honor  of  our  people. 

B.  Thou  art  the  advocate  of  sinners. 

V.  0  Mary! 

B.  0  Mary! 

V.  Virgin  most  prudent. 


234 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


R.  Mother  most  tender. 

V.  Pray  for  ns. 

R.  Intercede  for  us  with  Our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

After  the  Litany  or  the  above  hymn  say  as  follows : 

V.  In  thy  conception,  Virgin,  thou  wast  im¬ 
maculate. 

R.  Pray  for  us  to  the  Father,  whose  Son  was 
horn  of  thee. 

Let  us  Pray. 

0  God,  who  through  the  immaculate  concep¬ 
tion  of  the  Virgin  didst  prepare  a  worthy  dwell¬ 
ing-place  for  Thy  divine  Son,  grant  that  as  in 
view  of  the  death  of  that  Son  Thou  didst  preserve 
her  from  all  taints,  so  Thou  would  vouchsafe 
unto  us  that,  cleansed  from  all  sin  by  her  inter¬ 
cession,  we  too  may  arrive  at  Thine  eternal  glory. 

0  God,  the  Pastor  and  Ruler  of  all  the  faith¬ 
ful,  graciously  look  upon  Thy  servant  [N.  ],  whom 
Thou  hast  set  over  Thy  holy  Church;  grant  him, 
we  beseech  Thee,  by  word  and  example  so  to 
direct  those  over  whom  Thou  hast  placed  him 
that,  together  with  the  flock  thou  hast  entrusted 
to  his  care,  he  may  attain  eternal  life. 

0  God,  our  refuge  and  strength,  who  art  the 
source  of  all  piety,  hearken  to  the  pious  prayers  of 
Thy  Church  and  grant  that  what  we  ask  in  faith 


The  Feast  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  235 

we  may  in  deed  obtain.  Through  Christ  Our 
Lord.  Amen. 

The  same  order  is  to  be  observed  on  all  the  other 
days  of  the  novena,  only  the  prayer  for  the  day  being 
changed. 

Second  Day. 

Mary,  unsullied  lily  of  heavenly  purity,  I  re¬ 
joice  with  thee  because  from  thy  conception’s 
earliest  dawn  thou  wast  full  of  grace  and  endowed 
with  the  perfect  use  of  reason.  I  thank  and  I 
ever  adore  the  Ever-blessed  Trinity,  who  gave 
thee  these  high  gifts.  I  am  overwhelmed  with 
shame  in  thy  presence  to  see  myself  so  poor  in 
grace.  0  thou  who  wast  filled  with  heavenly 
grace,  impart  some  portion  of  it  to  my  soul,  and 
make  me  share  the  treasures  of  thy  immaculate 
conception. 

Litany,  etc.,  as  on  first  day. 

Third  Day. 

Mary,  thou  mystical  rose  of  purity,  my  heart 
rejoices  with  thine  at  the  glorious  triumph  which 
thou  didst  gain  over  the  infernal  serpent  by  thy 
immaculate  conception,  and  because  thou  wast 
conceived  without  stain  of  original  sin.  I  thank 
and  praise  with  my  whole  heart  the  Ever-blessed 
Trinity,  who  granted  thee  this  glorious  privilege, 


236 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


and  I  pray  thee  to  obtain  for  me  strength  to  over¬ 
come  all  the  wiles  of  the  infernal  foe  and  never 
to  stain  my  soul  with  sin.  Be  thon  mine,  and 
make  me,  by  thy  protection,  victorious  over  the 
common  foe  of  our  eternal  welfare. 

Litany,  etc. 

Fourth  Day. 

Mirror  of  holy  purity,  Mary,  Virgin  immacu¬ 
late,  great  is  my  joy  while  I  consider  that  from 
thy  immaculate  conception  the  most  sublime  and 
perfect  virtues  were  infused  into  thy  soul,  and 
with  them  all  the  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  1 
thank  and  praise  the  Most  Holy  Trinity,  who  be¬ 
stowed  on  thee  these  high  privileges.  I  pray 
thee,  gentle  Mother,  obtain  for  me  grace  to  prac¬ 
tise  virtue,  and  so  make  me  worthy  to  become 
partaker  of  the  gifts  and  graces  of  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

Litany,  etc. 

Fifth  Day. 

Mary,  bright  moon  of  purity,  I  rejoice  with 
thee  because  the  mystery  of  thy  immaculate  con¬ 
ception  was  the  beginning  of  salvation  for  the 
race  of  man  and  the  joy  of  the  whole  world.  I 
thank  and  bless  the  Ever-blessed  Trinity,  who 
thus  did  magnify  and  glorify  thee;  and  I  beg  of 
thee  to  obtain  for  me  the  grace  so  to  profit  by 


The  Feast  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  237 

thy  dear  Son’s  death  and  Passion  that  his 
precious  blood  may  not  have  been  shed  in  vain 
for  me  upon  the  cross,  but  that,  after  a  holy  life, 
I  may  reach  heaven  in  safety. 

Litany,  etc. 

Sixth  Day. 

Mary  immaculate,  most  brilliant  star  of  purity, 
I  rejoice  with  thee  because  thy  immaculate  con¬ 
ception  has  bestowed  upon  the  angels  in  paradise 
the  greatest  joy.  I  thank  and  bless  the  Ever- 
blessed  Trinity,  who  enriched  thee  with  this 
high  privilege.  Oh!  let  me,  too,  one  day  enter 
into  this  heavenly  joy  in  the  company  of  angels, 
that  I  may  praise  and  bless  thee,  world  without 
end. 

Litany,  etc. 

Seventh  Day. 

Mary  immaculate,  rising  morn  of  purity,  I  re¬ 
joice  with  thee,  gazing  in  wonder  upon  thy  soul 
confirmed  in  grace  from  the  very  first  moment  of 
thy  conception  and  rendered  inaccessible  to  sin. 
I  thank  and  magnify  the  Ever-blessed  Trinity, 
who  chose  thee  from  all  our  race  for  this  special 
privilege.  Holy  Virgin,  obtain  for  me  utter  and 
constant  hatred  of  all  sin  above  every  other  evil, 
and  let  me  rather  die  than  ever  again  fall  into  sin. 

Litany,  etc. 


238 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Eighth  Day. 

0  spotless  Sun,  0  Virgin  Mary!  I  congratulate 
thee.  I  rejoice  with  thee  because  in  thy  con¬ 
ception  God  gave  thee  grace  greater  and  more 
boundless  than  he  ever  shed  on  all  his  angels 
and  all  the  saints,  together  with  all  their  merits. 
I  thank  and  marvel  at  the  surpassing  beneficence 
of  the  Ever-blessed  Trinity,  who  conferred  on 
thee  this  privilege.  Oh!  make  me  to  correspond 
with  the  grace  of  God  and  never  abuse  it. 
Change  this  heart  of  mine;  make  me  now  begin 
to  amend  my  life. 

Litany,  etc. 


Ninth  Day. 

0  living  light  of  holiness,  model  of  purity, 
Mary,  immaculate  Virgin  and  Mother!  as  soon  as 
thou  wast  conceived  thou  didst  profoundly  adore 
thy  God,  giving  him  thanks  that  in  thee  the  an¬ 
cient  curse  was  revoked,  and  blessing  came  again 
upon  the  sinful  sons  of  Adam.  Oh!  make  this 
blessing  kindle  in  my  heart  love  for  God,  and  do 
thou  fan  this  flame  of  love  within  me,  that  I  may 
love  him  constantly,  and  one  day  in  heaven  eter¬ 
nally  enjoy  him,  there  to  thank  him  more  and 
more  fervently  for  all  the  wondrous'  privileges 


The  Feast  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  239 

conferred  on  thee,  and  to  rejoice  with  thee  for 
thy  high  crown  of  glory. 

Litany,  etc. 

For  making  the  above  novena  an  indulgence  of 
three  hundred  days  every  day,  and  a  plenary  in¬ 
dulgence  on  any  day  of  the  no  vena  or  the  eight  days 
following  it. — Pius  IX.,  Jan.  5,  1849,  Jan.  28,  1850, 
Xov.  26,  1876. 

MEDITATIONS  FOR  THE  FEAST. 

i. 

It  was  indeed  becoming  that  the  three  divine 
Persons  should  preserve  Mary  from  original  sin. 

It  was  becoming  that  the  Father  should  do  so, 
because  Mary  was  his  first-born  daughter.  As 
Jesus  was  the  first-born  of  God,  the  first-horn  of 
every  creature  (Col.  i.  15),  so  also  was  Mary,  the 
destined  Mother  of  God,  always  considered  by 
him  as  his  first-born  daughter  by  adoption,  and 
therefore  he  always  possessed  her  by  his  grace: 
The  Lord  possessed  me  in  the  beginning  of  his 
ways.  (Prov.  viii.  22.)  For  the  honor,  therefore, 
of  his  Son,  it  was  becoming  that  the  Father 
should  preserve  his  Mother  from  every  stain  of 
sin.  It  was  also  becoming  that  he  should  do  so 
because  he  destined  this  his  daughter  to  crush 
the  head  of  the  infernal  serpent,  who  had  seduced 
man,  as  we  read  in  Genesis,  she  shall  crush  thy 
head.  (Gen.  iii.  15.)  How,  then,  could  he  per- 


240 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


mit  that  she  should  first  be  the  slave  of  this 
infernal  serpent?  Moreover,  Mary  was  also 
destined  to  become  the  advocate  of  sinners;  there¬ 
fore  it  was  also  becoming  that  God  should  pre¬ 
serve  her  from  sin,  that  she  might  not  appear 
guilty  of  the  same  fault  as  men  for  whom  she  was 
to  intercede. 


ii. 

It  was  becoming  that  the  Son  should  have  an 
immaculate  Mother.  He  himself  chose  Mary  for 
his  Mother.  It  is  impossible  to  believe  that  a 
son  who  could  have  a  queen  for  his  mother  would 
choose  a  slave.  How,  then,  can  we  imagine  that 
the  Eternal  Word,  who  could  have  an  ever- 
immaculate  Mother,  and  one  who  had  always 
been  a  friend  of  God,  would  have  one  defiled  by 
sin,  and  at  one  time  the  enemy  of  God?  More¬ 
over,  as  an  ancient  author  says,  “  the  flesh  of 
Christ  is  the  flesh  of  Mary.”  The  Son  of  God 
would  have  felt  horror  to  have  taken  flesh  of  a 
St.  Agnes,  a  St.  Gertrude,  or  of  a  St.  Teresa,  be¬ 
cause  these  holy  virgins  were  defiled  by  sin  before 
baptism;  and  therefore  the  devil  could  then  have 
reproached  him  with  being  clothed  with  flesh 
which  had  once  been  subject  to  him.  But  as 
Mary  was  always  pure  and  immaculate,  Our  Lord 
felt  no  horror  at  becoming  man  in  her  chaste 


The  Feast  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  241 

womb.  Besides,  St.  Thomas  says  that  (C  Mary 
was  preserved  from  every  actual  sin,  even 
venial; 99  for  otherwise  she  would  not  have  been 
a  becoming  Mother  of  God;  but  how  much  less 
would  she  have  been  so  had  she  been  defiled  by 
original  sin,  which  renders  the  soul  hateful  to 
God? 

hi. 

It  was  becoming  the  Holy  Ghost  that  this  his 
most  beloved  spouse  should  be  immaculate.  As 
men  who  had  already  fallen  into  sin  were  to  be 
redeemed,  he  willed  that  this  his  spouse  should 
be  redeemed  in  a  more  noble  way;  that  is,  by 
being  preserved  from  falling  into  sin.  And  since 
God  preserved  the  body  of  Mary  after  her  death, 
how  much  more  should  we  believe  that  he  pre¬ 
served  her  soul  from  the  corruption  of  sin? 
Hence  the  divine  Spouse  calls  her  in  the  sacred 
Canticles  an  enclosed  garden,  a  sealed  fountain; 
for  an  enemy  never  entered  the  blessed  soul  of 
Mary.  Therefore  he  praised  her,  calling  her  all 
beautiful,  always  his  friend,  and  all  pure:  Thou 
art  all  fair,  0  my  lore,  and  there  is  not  a  spot  in 
thee.  (Cant.  iv.  7.) 

Example. 

A  woman  came  to  a  house  of  the  Redemptorist 
Fathers  in  Naples  to  let  one  of  the  Fathers  know 
that  her  husband  had  not  been  to  confession  for  ' 


242 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


many  years,  and  the  poor  creature  could  no  longer 
tell  by  what  means  to  bring  him  to  his  duty;  for  if 
she  named  confession  to  him  he  beat  her.  The 
Father  told  her  to  give  him  a  picture  of  Mary  Im¬ 
maculate.  In  the  evening  the  woman  once  more 
begged  her  husband  to  go  to  confession;  but  he  as 
usual  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  her  entreaties.  She  gave 
him  the  picture.  Behold !  he  had  scarcely  received 
it,  when  he  said:  “  Well,  when  will  you  take  me  to 
confession  ?  for  I  am  willing  to  go.”  The  wife,  on 
seeing  this  instantaneous  change,  began  to  weep  for 
joy.  In  the  morning  he  really  went  to  church, 
and  when  the  Father  asked  him  how  long  it  was 
since  he  had  been  to  confession,  he  answered, 
“  Twenty-eight  years.”  The  Father  again  asked 
him  what  had  induced  him  to  come  that  morning. 
“Father,”  he  said,  “I  was  obstinate;  but  last  night 
my  wife  gave  me  a  picture  of  our  blessed  Lady,  and 
in  the  same  moment  I  felt  my  heart  changed,  so 
much  so  that  during  the  whole  night  every  moment 
seemed  a  thousand  years,  so  great  was  my  desire  to 
go  to  confession.”  lie  then  confessed  his  sins  with 
great  contrition,  changed  his  life,  and  continued  for 
a  long  time  to  go  frequently  to  confession  to  the 
same  Father. 

Prayer. 

Ah,  my  most  beautiful  Lady,  I  rejoice  in  seeing 
thee  by  thy  purity  and  thy  beauty  so  dear  to  God. 
I  thank  God  for  having  preserved  thee  from  every 
stain.  My  Queen,  since  thou  art  so  loved  by  the 
Most  Holy  Trinity,  disdain  not  to  cast  thine  eyes  on 
my  soul,  which  is  so  defiled  by  sin,  that,  seeing  it, 
thou  mayest  obtain  for  me  pardon  and  eternal  sal¬ 
vation  from  God.  Behold  me,  and  change  me. 
Thou,  by  thy  sweetness,  hast  drawn  so  many  hearts 
to  thy  love,  draw  also  my  heart,  that  henceforward 


The  Feast  of  the  Immaculate  Conceptioyi.  243 

it  may  love  no  other  than  God  and  thee.  Thou  well 
knowest  that  I  have  placed  all  my  hopes  in  Thee, 
my  dear  Mother ;  abandon  me  not.  Help  me  always 
with  thine  intercession  in  life,  and  especially  at  the 
hour  of  my  death ;  grant  that  I  may  die  invoking 
and  loving  thee,  that  I  may  love  thee  forever  in 
paradise. 

LITTLE  CHAPLET  OF  THE  IMMACULATE 

CONCEPTION. 

In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Amen. 

Blessed  be  the  holy  and  immaculate  conception 
of  the  most  blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

Our  Father,  once.  Hail  Mary,  four  times. 
Glorv  be  to  the  Father,  once. 

Repeat  the  above  three  times. 

Indulgence  of  three  hundred  days  every  time.  A 
plenary  indulgence  once  a  month  to  all  who  shall 
have  said  this  chaplet  every  day  for  a  month  on  the 
day  when,  being  truly  penitent,  they  shall  go  to  con¬ 
fession  and  Communion. — Pius  IX.,  June  22,  1855. 

PRAYER  TO  OBTAIN  PURITY. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

My  Queen,  my  Mother!  I  give  myself  entirely 
to  thee,  and  to  show  my  devotion  to  thee  I  conse¬ 
crate  to  thee  this  day  my  eyes,  my  ears,  my  mouth, 
my  heart,  my  whole  being,  without  reserve. 
Wherefore,  good  Mother,  as  I  am  thine  own,  keep 
me,  guard  me  as  thy  property  and  possession. 


244 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Indulgence  of  one  hundred  days  once  a  day.  A 
plenary  indulgence  once  a  month  to  all  those  who 
have  said  this  prayer  daily  for  a  month. — Pius  XX., 
Aug.  5,  1851. 

AN  ACT  OF  FAITH  IN  THE  IMMACULATE 
CONCEPTION. 

Holy  Mary,  Mother  of  God,  I  firmly  believe  in 
thy  immaculate  conception;  I  bless  God  for  hav¬ 
ing  granted  thee  this  glorious  privilege;  I  thank 
him  a  thousand  times  for  having  taught  it  to  me 
by  the  infallible  voice  of  the  Church.  Receive 
my  heart,  0  immaculate  Virgin!  I  give  it  up  to 
thee  without  reserve;  purify  it,  guard  it,  never 
give  it  back  to  me.  Preserve  it  in  thy  love  and 
in  the  love  of  Jesus  during  time  and  eternity. 

LITTLE  OFFICE  OF  THE  IMMACULATE 

CONCEPTION. 

AT  MATINS. 

Come,  my  lips,  and  wide  proclaim 
The  Blessed  Virgin's  spotless  fame. 

V.  0  Lady,  make  speed  to  befriend  me. 

R.  From  the  hands  of  the  enemy  mightily  de¬ 
fend  me. 

V.  Glory  be  to  the  Father,  etc.  Alleluia. 

From  Septuagesima  to  Easter,  instead  of  Al¬ 
leluia,  is  said : 


Office  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  245 

Praise  be  to  Thee,  0  Lord,  King  of  everlasting 
lory. 

Hymn. 

Hail,  Queen  of  the  heavens! 

Hail,  Mistress  of  earth! 

Hail,  virgin  most  pure 
Of  immaculate  birth! 

Clear  star  of  the  morning. 

In  beauty  enshrined! 

0  Lady,  make  speed 
To  the  help  of  mankind. 

Thee  God  in  the  depth 
Of  eternity  chose, 

And  formed  thee  all  fair, 

As  his  glorious  spouse; 

And  called  thee  his  Word’s 
Own  Mother  to  be 
By  whom  he  created 
The  earth,  sky,  and  sea.  Amen. 

T7.  God  elected  her,  and  preelected  her. 

B.  He  made  her  to  dwell  in  his  tabernacle. 

V.  0  Lady,  aid  my  prayer. 

B.  And  let  my  cry  come  unto  thee. 


246 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Let  us  Pray. 

Holy  Mary,  Queen  of  heaven,  Mother  of  Our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  Mistress  of  the  world,  who 
forsakest  no  one,  and  despisest  no  one:  look  upon 
me,  0  Lady,  with  an  eye  of  pity,  and  entreat  for 
me,  of  thy  beloved  Son,  the  forgiveness  of  all 
my  sins;  that,  as  I  now  celebrate  with  devout 
affection  thy  holy  and  immaculate  conception,  so, 
hereafter,  I  may  receive  the  prize  of  eternal 
blessedness,  by  the  grace  of  him  whom  thou,  in 
virginity,  didst  bring  forth,  Jesus  Christ  Our 
Lord:  who,  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost, 
liveth  and  reigneth,  in  perfect  trinity,  God,  world 
without  end.  Amen. 

V.  0  Lady,  aid  my  prayer. 

E.  And  let  my  cry  come  unto  thee. 

V.  Let  us  bless  the  Lord. 

E.  Thanks  be  to  God. 

V.  May  the  souls  of  the  faithful  departed, 
through  the  mercy  of  God,  rest  in  peace. 

E.  Amen. 

AT  PRIME. 

V.  0  Lady,  make  speed  to  befriend  me. 

E.  From  the  hands  of  the  enemy  mightily  de¬ 
fend  me. 

F.  Glory  be  to  the  Father,  etc.  Alleluia. 


Office  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  247 
Hymn. 

Hail,  Virgin  most  wise. 

Hail,  Deity's  shrine! 

With  seven  fair  pillars/ 

And  table  divine! 

Preserved  from  the  guilt 
Which  hath  come  on  us  all! 

Exempt,  in  the  womb, 

From  the  taint  of  the  fall! 

0  new  star  of  Jacob, 

Of  angels  the  queen! 

0  gate  of  the  saints! 

0  mother  of  men! 

To  Zabulon  fearful 
As  tip  embattled  array! 

Be  thou  of  the  faithful 

The  refuge  and  stay.  Amen. 

V.  The  Lord  himself  created  her  in  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

B.  And  poured  her  out  over  all  his  works. 

V.  0  Lady,  aid,  etc.  (with  the  'prayer  as  above). 

AT  TIERCE. 

0  Lady,  make  speed,  etc. 


248 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Hymn. 

Hail.,  Solomon's  throne! 

Pure  ark  of  the  law! 

Fair  rainbow  and  bush. 

Which  the  patriarch  saw! 

Hail,  Gedeon’s  fleece! 

Hail,  blossoming  rod! 

Samson’s  sweet  honey-comb! 

Portal  of  God! 

Well  fitting  it  was 
That  a  Son  so  divine 
Should  preserve  from  all  touch 
Of  original  sin, 

Nor  suffer  by  smallest 

Defect  to  be  stained 

That  Mother,  whom  he 

For  himself  had  ordained.  Amen. 

V.  I  dwell  in  the  highest. 

R.  And  my  throne  is  on  the  pillar  of  the  clouds. 
V.  0  Lady,  aid,  etc.  ( with  the  prayer  as  above). 

AT  SEXT. 

0  Lady,  make  speed,  etc. 


Office  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  249 


Hymn. 

Hail,  virginal  Mother! 

Hail,  purity's  cell! 

Fair  shrine,  where  the  Trinity 
Loveth  to  dwell! 

Hail,  garden  of  pleasure! 

Celestial  balm! 

Cedar  of  chastity! 

Martyrdom's  palm! 

Thou  land  set  apart 
From  uses  profane! 

And  free  from  the  curse 
Which  in  Adam  began! 

Thou  city  of  Ck>d! 

Thou  gate  of  the  east! 

In  thee  is  all  grace, 

0  joy  of  the  blest.  Amen. 

V.  As  the  lily  among  the  thorns. 

R.  So  is  my  beloved  among  the  daughters  of 
Adam. 

V.  0  Lady,  aid,  etc.  (with  the  prayer  as  above). 

AT  NONE. 

0  Lady,  make  speed,  etc. 


250 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Hymn. 

Hail,  city  of  refuge! 

Hail,  David’s  high  tower. 

With  battlements  crowned 
And  girded  with  power! 

Filled  at  thy  conception 
With  love  and  with  light! 

The  dragon  by  thee 
Was  shorn  of  his  might. 

0  woman  most  valiant! 

0  Judith  thrice  blest! 

As  David  was  nursed 
In  fair  Abisag’s  breast; 

As  the  savior  of  Egypt 
Upon  Bachel’s  knee; 

So  the  world’s  great  Bedeemer 
Was  cherished  by  thee.  Amen. 

V.  Thou  art  all  fair,  my  beloved. 

R.  And  the  original  stain  was  never  in  thee. 
V.  0  Lady,  aid,  etc.  (with  the  prayer  as  above). 

AT  VESPERS. 

0  Lady,  make  speed,  etc. 


Office  of  the  Immaculate  Conception . 


251 


Hymn. 

Hail,  dial  of  Achaz! 

On  thee  the  true  sun 
Told  backward  the  course 
Which  from  old  he  had  run! 

And,  that  man  might  be  raised,, 
Submitting  to  shame, 

A  little  more  low 
Than  the  angels  became. 

Thou,  rapt  in  the  blaze 
Of  his  infinite  light, 

Dost  shine  as  the  morn 
On  the  confines  of  night; 

As  the  moon  on  the  lost 
Through  obscurity  dawns; 

The  serpent’s  destroyer, 

A  lily  ’mid  thorns!  Amen. 

V.  I  made  an  unfailing  light  to  arise  in  heaven. 
B.  And  as  a  mist  I  overspread  the  whole  earth. 
V.  0  Lady,  aid,  etc.  (with  the  prayer  as  above). 

AT  COMPLINE. 

May  Jesus  Christ,  thy  Son,  reconciled  by  thy 
prayers,  0  Lady,  convert  our  hearts. 


252 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


R.  And  turn  away  his  anger  from  us. 

V.  0  Lady.,  make  speed  to  befriend  me. 

R.  From  the  hands  of  the  enemy  mightily  de¬ 
fend  me. 

V.  Glory  be  to  the  Father,  etc. 

Hymn. 

Hail,  Mother  most  pure! 

Hail,  Virgin  renowned! 

Hail,  Queen  with  the  stars. 

As  a  diadem,  crowned. 

Above  all  the  angels 
In  glory  untold. 

Standing  next  to  the  King 
In  a  vesture  of  gold. 

0  Mother  of  mercy! 

0  Star  of  the  wave! 

0  Hope  of  the  guilty! 

0  Light  of  the  grave! 

Through  thee  may  we  come 
To  the  haven  of  rest; 

And  see  heaven’s  King 

In  the  courts  of  the  blest!  Amen. 

I7.  Thy  name,  0  Mary,  is  as  oil  poured  out. 

R.  Thy  servants  have  loved  thee  exceedingly. 


Office  of  the  Immaculate  Conception. 


253 


V.  0  Lady,  aid,  etc.  (with  the  prayers  and  vehi¬ 
cles  as  above). 

These  praises  and  prayers 
I  lay  at  thy  feet, 

0  Virgin  of  virgins! 

0  Mary  most  sweet! 

Be  thou  my  true  guide 
Through  this  pilgrimage  here, 

And  stand  by  my  side 
When  death  draweth  near. 

B.  Thanks  he  to  God. 

PEAYEES  WHICH  MAY  BE  SAID  AFTEE  THE  OFFICE 
OF  THE  IMMACULATE  CONCEPTION. 

Thou  art  all  fair.  And  the  stain  of  original  sin 
is  not  in  thee.  Thou  art  the  glory  of  Jerusalem. 
Thou  art  the  joy  of  Israel.  Thou  art  the  honor 
of  our  people.  Thou  art  the  advocate  of  sinners.. 
0  Mary!  0  Mary!  Virgin  most  prudent.  Mother 
most  clement.  Pray  for  us.  Intercede  for  us 
with  Our  Lord  J esus  Christ. 

Ant.  Thy  immaculate  conception,  Virgin  Moth¬ 
er  of  God,  brought  joy  to  the  whole  world;  for 
out  of  thee  arose  the  Sun  of  justice,  Christ  our 
God,  who,  lifting  the  curse  from  us,  brought  us 
blessings,  and,  putting  death  to  flight,  gave  us  life 
eternal. 


254 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Instead  of  the  above-mentioned  prayers,  “  Thou 
art  all  fair,”  and  the  Ant.,  “  Thy  immaculate  con¬ 
ception,”  the  following  may  be  said : 

Ant.  This  is  the  rod  in  which  was  neither  knot 
of  original  sin,  nor  rind  of  actual  guilt. 

V.  In  thy  conception,  0  Virgin,  thou  wast  im¬ 
maculate. 

B.  Pray  for  us  to  the  Father,  whose  Son  thou 
didst  bring  forth. 


Let  us  Pray. 

0  God,  who,  by  the  immaculate  conception  of 
the  Virgin,  didst  prepare  a  worthy  habitation  for 
Thy  Son:  we  beseech  Thee  that,  as  in  view  of  the 
death  of  that  Son  Thou  didst  preserve  her  from  all 
stain  of  sin,  so  Thou  wouldst  enable  us,  being 
made  pure  by  her  intercession,  to  come  unto 
Thee.  Through  the  same  Christ  our  Lord. 

B.  Amen. 


THE  FEAST  OF  THE  PURIFICATION. 

(February  2d.) 

HISTORICAL  EXPLANATION. 

Candlemas,  or  the  Feast  of  the  Purification, 
is  celebrated  to  commemorate  the  taking  of  the 
forty-day-old  child  Jesus  up  to  the  Temple  in 


The  Feast  of  the  Purification. 


255 


Jerusalem,  in  obedience  to  the  law.  It  is  be¬ 
lieved  that  the  Emperor  Justinian  first  ordered 
the  keeping  of  the  feast  in  the  year  542,  during 
the  ravages  of  a  terrible  plague  in  Constantinople. 
Later  the  feast  was  extended  to  the  whole  Greek 
Church.  Baronius,  however,  thinks  that  the 
feast  was  celebrated  even  earlier  (494)  in  the 
Western  Church,  by  order  of  Pope  Gelasius.  The 
custom  of  holding  a  procession  with  burning  can¬ 
dles  on  that  day  is  certainly  very  ancient,  for  St. 
Ildephonsus  of  Toledo,  and  St.  Eligius  of  Noyon, 
who  both  lived  in  the  seventh  century,  not  only 
mention  this  custom,  but  try  to  explain  it.  “  By 
this  procession  of  light,"  says  St.  Ildephonsus, 
“  the  Christian  community  testifies  to  its  resolu¬ 
tion  to  walk  in  the  light  of  Jesus  Christ  and  prays 
also  for  the  grace  to  be  faithful  to  this  resolution, 
in  order  to  enter  that  realm  where  there  is  ever¬ 
lasting  light.” 

NO  VENA  FOR  THE  FEAST  OF  THE 
PURIFICATION. 

(Novena  begins  January  24th  and  ends 
February  1st.) 

PRAYERS. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  etc.,  as  on  page  231. 

1.  Bright  mirror  of  all  virtues,  holiest  Mary, 
forty  days  had  scarcely  elapsed  from  thy  delivery 


256 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


when  thou,  though  the  purest  of  all  virgins,  didst 
will,  according  to  the  law,  to  be  presented  in  the 
Temple  to  be  purified:  grant  that  we,  like  thee, 
may  keep  our  hearts  unstained  by  sin,  that  so  we, 
too,  may  he  made  worthy  to  he  presented  to  our 
God  in  the  temple  of  his  glory. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

2.  Virgin  most  obedient,  at  thy  presentation 
in  the  Temple  thou  didst  will,  like  other  women, 
to  offer  the  wonted  sacrifice:  obtain  for  us  that 
we,  too,  following  thy  example,  may  learn  how  to 
offer  ourselves  a  living  sacrifice  to  God  by  prac¬ 
tising  every  virtue. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

3.  Virgin  most  pure,  in  observing  the  precept 
of  the  law  thou  didst  care  little  that  men  should 
account  thee  unclean:  ask  for  us  grace  to  keep 
our  hearts  forever  pure,  however  hlamahle  the 
world  may  think  ns. 

Hail  Marv,  etc. 

4.  Virgin  most  holy,  in  offering  thy  divine  Son 
to  his  Eternal  Father,  thou  didst  gladden  all  the 
court  of  heaven:  present  our  poor  hearts  to  God, 
that  he,  by  his  grace,  may  keep  them  ever  free 
from  mortal  sin. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

5.  Virgin  most  humble,  in  placing  Jesus  in 
holy  old  Simeon’s  arms,  thou  didst  fill  his  soul 


The  Feast  of  the  Purification. 


257 


with  heavenly  joy:  give  onr  hearts  into  God’s  holy 
keeping,  that  he  may  fill  them  with  his  Holy 
Spirit. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

G.  Virgin  most  zealous,  by  redeeming  thy  Son 
Jesus  according  to  the  law,  thou  didst  cooperate 
in  the  salvation  of  the  world:  ransom  now  our 
poor  hearts  from  the  slavery  of  sin,  that  so  they 
may  be  ever  pure  before  the  face  of  God. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

7.  Virgin  most  meek,  on  hearing  the  prophecy 
of  Simeon  foretelling  thy  woes,  thou  didst 
promptly  bow  to  the  good  pleasure  of  God:  en¬ 
able  us  also  to  bear  all  troubles  with  patience  and 
resignation  to  his  divine  will. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

8.  Virgin  most  compassionate,  when  through 
thy  divine  Son  thou  didst  fill  the  soul  of  Anna 
the  prophetess  with  light,  thou  didst  make  her 
magnify  the  mercies  of  God  by  recognizing  Jesus 
as  the  Redeemer  of  the  world:  enrich  our  souls 
with  heavenly  grace  that  we  may  largely  share 
the  fruit  of  the  divine  redemption. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

9.  Virgin  most  resigned,  who  didst  feel  thy 
soul  transfixed  with  sorrow  when  in  spirit  thou 
didst  foresee  all  the  bitter  Passion  of  thy  Son,  and 
knowing  the  grief  of  Joseph,  thy  spouse,  for  all 


1 

258  Practices  of  Devotion . 

I 

thy  sufferings,  didst  with  holy  words  console  him; 
pierce  through  and  through  our  souls  with  true 
sorrow  for  our  sins  that  we  may  one  day  Lave 
the  consolation  to  be  made  partakers  of  thy  glory 
in  heaven. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

Then  say  the  Litany,  and  afterward: 

V.  Simeon  received  an  answer  from  the  Holy 
Spirit. 

B.  That  he  should  not  see  death  until  he  had 
seen  the  Christ  of  the  Lord. 

Let  us  Pray. 

Almighty,  everlasting  God,  we  pray  Thy 
majesty  that,  as  Thy  only  begotten  Son  was 
presented  in  the  Temple  in  the  substance  of  our 
flesh,  so  Thou  wouldst  enable  us  to  present  our¬ 
selves  before  Thee  with  clean  hearts.  Amen. 

For  making  the  above  novena  an  indulgence  of 
three  hundred  days  each  time,  and  a  plenary  indul¬ 
gence  on  the  feast  itself  or  on  any  day  of  its  octave. 

• — Pius  VII.,  Aug.  4  and  Nov.  24, 1808;  Jan.  11,  1809. 

MEDITATIONS  FOR  THE  FEAST. 

L  ] 

When  the  time  had  come  in  which,  according 
to  the  law,  Mary  was  to  he  purified  in  the  Temple, 
and  to  present  Jesus  to  the  Eternal  Father,  she. 


The  Feast  of  the  Purific  if  ion. 


2  59 


accompanied  by  St.  Joseph,  directed  her  steps 
towards  Jerusalem.  Joseph  took  two  turtle¬ 
doves  which  were  to  be  offered,  and  Mary  took 
her  beloved  Infant.  She  took  the  divine  Lamb 
to  offer  it  to  God,  as  a  token  of  the  great  sacrifice 
which  he  would  one  day  accomplish  on  the  cross. 

My  God,  I  also  unite  my  sacrifice  to  that  of 
Mary;  I  offer  Thee  Thy  Incarnate  Son;  and  by 
his  merits  I  beseech  Thee  to  grant  me  Thy  grace. 
I  do  not  deserve  it;  but  Jesus  sacrificed  himself  to 
Thee  to  obtain  it  for  me.  For  the  love  of  Jesus, 
then,  have  mercy  on  me. 

» 

ii. 

Behold,  'Mary  entered  the  Temple,  and  in  the 
name  of  the  whole  human  race  made  the  obla¬ 
tion  of  her  Son.  But,  especially  on  this  day, 
Jesus  offered  himself  to  his  Eternal  Father. 
“Behold  me,  0  Father/’  he  said;  “to  Thee  do 
I  consecrate  my  whole  life;  Thou  hast  sent  me 
into  the  world  to  save  it:  accept  my  blood  and 
my  life;  I  offer  them  without  reserve  to  Thee,  for 
the  salvation  of  the  world.” 

Unfortunate  should  I  have  been,  my  dear  Re¬ 
deemer,  hadst  Thou  not  satisfied  the  divine  jus¬ 
tice  for  me.  I  thank  Thee  with  my  whole  soul, 
and  I  love  Thee  with  my  whole  heart.  And 


260 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


whom  shall  I  love,  if  I  do  not  love  a  God  who 
sacrificed  his  life  for  me? 

This  sacrifice  was  more  precious  in  the  sight  of 
God  than  if  all  men  and  angels  had  offered  him 
their  lives.  Yes,  because  it  was  in  this  offering 
of  Jesns  alone  that  the  Eternal  Father  received 
infinite  honor  and  an  infinite  satisfaction.  Jesns 


Christ  said  one  day  to  Blessed  Angela  of  Foligno, 
“  I  offered  myself  for  thee,  that  thou  mightest 
offer  thyself  to  me.” 


Example. 


A  Lutheran  lady,  at  Augsburg  in  Germany,  who 
was  obstinate  in  her  heresy,  was  one  day  passing 
before  a  Catholic  chapel,  and  out  of  curiosity 
entered  it,  and  saw  there  an  image  of  Mary  with 
the  infant  Jesus  in  her  arms,  and  felt  inspired  to 
make  her  an  offering.  She  went  to  her  house  and 
took  a  piece  of  silk,  which  she  offered  to  the  Blessed 
Virgin.  On  her  return  home  this  good  Mother  en¬ 
lightened  her  to  see  the  errors  of  her  sect;  she  im¬ 
mediately  went  to  see  some  Catholics,  abjured 
heresy,  and  was  converted  to  God. 


Prayer. 

Yes,  my  Jesus,  since  Thou  hast  offered  Thy  life 
to  Thy  Eternal  Father  for  me,  I  offer  my  life  and 
my  entire  self  to  Thee.  Hitherto,  with  the  greatest 
ingratitude,  I  have  despised  Thee;  but  Thou  hast 
promised  no  more  to  remember  the  outrages  of  a 
sinner  who  repents  of  having  offended  Thee.  My 
Jesus,  I  grieve  for  having  offended  Thee,  and  wish 
that  I  could  die  of  grief.  I  was  dead  by  sin;  from 


The  Feast  of  the  Immaculate  Heart  of  Mary.  261 

Thee  I  hope  for  life,  and  my  life  shall  be  to  love 
Thee,  O  Infinite  Good.  Make  me  love  Thee;  I  ask 
for  nothing  more/  Dispense  the  riches  of  this  world 
to  those  who  desire  them;  I  desire  nothing  but  the 
treasure  of  Thy  love.  My  Jesus,  Thou  alone  art 
sufficient  for  me.  O  Queen  and  my  Mother  Mary, 
through  thee  do  I  hope  for  every  grace. 


THE  FEAST  OF  THE  IMMACULATE  HEART 

OF  MARY. 

(Feast,  Sunday  after  the  Octave  of  the  Assumption.) 

HISTORICAL  EXPLANATION. 

The  arch-confraternity  of  the  Immaculate  Heart 
of  Mary  was  established  at  Paris,  in  the  Church 
of  Yotre  Dame  des  Vietoires,  December  16,  1836. 
It  was  approved  by  the  Pope,  April  24,  1838, 
with  the  privilege  of  aggregating  to  itself  other 
similar  associations.  The  primary  object  of  the 
Association  is  to  pray  for  the  conversion  of  sinners 
and  of  persons  in  error,  and  God  has  been  pleased 
to  answer  its  prayers  in  a  most  remarkable 
manner. 

All  that  is  absolutely  necessary  on  the  part  of 
each  associate  is,  after  registration  of  name,  to 
recite  every  day  the  “  Hail  Mary  ”  for  the  inten¬ 
tions  of  the  Association.  The  pious  exercises 
which  follow,  though  well  suited  to  answer 


262 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


the  ends  of  the  Association,  are  not  strictly  re- 
quired. 

It  is  also  recommended — 1.  To  communicate 
once  a  month;  2.  To  recite  the  Eosary  once  a 
week;  both  for  the  intentions  of  the  Association. 
3.  To  wear,  as  a  badge,  the  medal  of  the  Immacu¬ 
late  Conception.  4.  To  say  often  the  “  Memorare  ” 


prayer. 


The  plenary .  indulgences  granted  to  the  asso¬ 
ciates,  with  the  usual  conditions,  are — 1.  On  the 
day  of  admission.  2.  At  the  hour  of  death.  3. 
On  the  Sunday  before  Septuagesima,  the  principal 
feast  of  the  Association.  4.  On  the  Feast  of  Our 
Lord’s  Circumcision.  5.  On  the  Feasts  of  the 
Purification,  Annunciation,  Assumption,  Concep¬ 
tion,  Dolors,  and  Nativity  of  our  blessed  Lady. 

6.  On  the  Feast  of  the  Conversion  of  St.  Paul. 

7.  On  the  Feast  of  St.  Mary  Magdalen.  8.  On  any 
two  days  of  the  month.  9.  On  the  anniversary  of 
their  baptism. 

There  is  also  an  indulgence  of  five  hundred  days 
for  all  the  members  and  other  persons  who  assist 
at  the  Masses  celebrated  on  Saturdays  in  honor  of 
the  holy  and  immaculate  heart  of  Mary,  in  the 
church  or  chapel  of  the  Confraternity,  and  there 
pray  for  the  conversion  of  sinners. 

The  benefits  of  the  Association  extend  beyond 
this  life;  for  a  Mass  is  celebrated  for  the  deceased 


The  Feast  of  the  Immaculate  Heart  of  Mary .  263 


members  at  Notre  Dame  des  Yictoires  on  the  first 

Saturday  of  every  month. 

•  *' 

NOVENA  IN  HONOR  OF  THE  IMMACULATE 
HEART  OF  MARY. 

(Feast,  Sunday  after  the  Octave  of  the  Assumption.) 

PRAYER. 

Heart  of  Mary,  Mother  of  God,  our  Mother; 
heart  most  amiable,  delight  of  the  ever-adorable 
Trinity,  and  worthy  of  all  the  veneration  and 
tenderness  of  angels  and  men;  heart  most  like 
the  heart  of  Jesus,  whose  perfect  image  thou  art; 
heart  full  of  goodness,  ever  compassionate  towards 
our  miseries!  vouchsafe  to  thaw  our  icy  hearts  and 
change  them  to  the  likeness  of  the  heart  of  Jesus. 
Infuse  into  them  the  love  of  thy  virtues;  inflame 
them  with  that  blessed  fire  with  which  thou  dost 
ever  burn.  In  thee  let  the  holy  Church  find  safe 
shelter;  be  thou  its  guardian  and  its  ever-sweet 
asylum,  its  tower  of  strength,  impregnable  against 
the  assaults  of  its  enemies.  Be  thou  the  road 
leading  to  Jesus;  be  thou  the  channel  whereby  we 
receive  all  graces  needful  for  our  salvation.  Be 
thou  our  help  in  need,  our  comfort  in  trouble, 
our  strength  in  temptation,  our  refuge  in  perse¬ 
cution,  our  aid  in  danger;  but  especially  in  the 


264 


Practices  of  Devotion . 


last  struggle  of  our  life,  at  the  moment  of  our 
death,  when  all  hell  shall  be  unchained  against 
us  to  snatch  away  our  souls — in  that  dread  mo¬ 
ment,  that  hour  so  terrible,  on  which  depends  our 
eternity,  ah!  then,  most  tender  Virgin,  do  thou 
make  us  feel  how  great  is  the  sweetness  of  thy 
mother's  heart,  how  great  thy  power  with  the 
heart  of  Jesus,  opening  to  us  in  the  very  fount 
of  mercy  itself  a  safe  refuge,  that  so  one  day  we 
too  may  join  thee  in  paradise  in  praising  the 
heart  of  Jesus  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen. 

May  the  divine  Heart  of  Jesus  and  the  immac¬ 
ulate  heart  of  Mary  be  known,  praised,  blessed, 
loved,  worshipped,  and  glorified  always  and  in  all 
places.  Amen. 

1.  Indulgence  of  sixty  days  once  a  day. 

2.  A  plenary  indulgence  on  the  Feasts  of  the  Na¬ 
tivity,  of  the  Assumption  and  of  the  Immaculate 
Heart  of  Mary  to  all  those  who  shall  have  said  the 
above  prayer  every  day  during  the  year  when,  being 
truly  penitent,  after  confession  and  Communion, 
they  shall  visit  a  church  or  an  altar  in  any  church 
dedicated  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  and  pray  for 
the  intention  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff. 

3.  A  plenary  indulgence  at  the  hour  of  death  to 
those  who  during  life  shall  have  practised  this  pious 
exercise  every  day. 

For  making  a  novena  in  honor  of  the  immaculate 
heart  of  Mary  and  her  patronage  an  indulgence  is 
granted  of  three  hundred  days  each  day,  and  a 
plenary  indulgence  during  the  course  of  the  novena 


The  Feast  of  the  Immaculate  Heart  of  Mary.  265 


or  on  one  of  the  eight  days  immediately  following 
it. — Pius  IX.,  Jan.  5,  1849. 

CONSIDERATIONS. 

1.  The  Son  of  God  died  to  save  sinners,  and  we 
cannot  imitate  his  charity  more  agreeably  to  him 
than  by  ever  aiming  at  the  same  object. 

2.  Prayer  is  the  most  powerful  means  of  draw¬ 
ing  down  from  God  the  grace  necessary  for  it,  and 
is,  moreover,  in  every  one’s  power. 

3.  Xo  intercession  is  so  effectual  as  that  of  the 
Blessed  Mother  of  God;  let  us  therefore  seek  it. 

4.  But  then  we  must  show  true  devotion  toward 
her,  by  imitating  her  virtues,  particularly  the 
purity  of  her  heart. 

5.  The  good  example  which  we  shall  thus  give 
will  greatly  forward  the  ends  of  the  Association. 

6.  Let  all  the  associates,  therefore,  encourage 
one  another  in  diligence,  in  virtue,  in  devout  exer¬ 
cises,  especially  in  frequenting  the  sacraments,  and 
ever  discourage  all  sin  and  irregularity  whether  in 
word  or  work. 

Example. 

In  one  of  the  Pedemptorist  missions,  after  the 
sermon  on  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  which  it  is  al¬ 
ways  customary  to  preach,  a  very  old  man  came  to 
make  his  confession  to  one  of  the  Fathers.  Filled 
with  consolation  he  said,  “Father,  our  blessed  Lady 
has  granted  me  a  grace.”  “  What  grace  has  she 
granted  you?”  the  confessor  asked.  “  You  must 


266 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


know,  Father,”  he  replied,  “that  for  five-and-thirty 
years  I  have  made  sacrilegious  confessions,  for  there 
is  a  sin  which  I  was  ashamed  to  confess;  and  yet  I 
have  passed  through  many  dangers,  have  many  times 
been  at  the  point  of  death,  and  had  I  then  died,  I 
should  certainly  have  been  lost;  but  now  our  blessed 
Lady  has  touched  my  heart  with  grace  to  tell  it.” 
This  he  said  weeping,  and  shedding  so  many  tears, 
that  he  quite  excited  compassion.  The  Father,  after 
hearing  his  confession,  asked  him  what  devotion  he 
had  practised.  Tie  replied  that  on  Saturdays  he  had 
never  failed  to  abstain  from  milk  in  honor  of 
Mary,  and  that  on  this  account  the  Blessed  Virgin 
had  shown  him  mercy.  At  the  same  time  he  gave 
the  Father  leave  to  publish  the  fact. 

Prayer  of  St.  Athanasius. 

Give  ear  to  our  prayers,  O  most  holy  Virgin,  and 
he  mindful  of  us.  Dispense  unto  us  the  gifts  of  thy 
riches,  and  the  abundance  of  the  graces  with  which 
thou  art  filled.  The  archangel  saluted  thee,  and 
called  thee  full  of  grace.  All  nations  call  thee 
blessed.  The  wdiole  hierarchy  of  heaven  blesses 
thee;  and  we,  who  are  of  the  terrestrial  hierarchy, 
also  address  thee,  saying,  Hail,  O  full  of  grace,  Our 
Lord  is  with  thee;  pray  for  us,  O  holy  Mother  of 
God,  our  Lady  and  our  Queen. 

LITTLE  CHAPLET  IY  HOYOR  OF  THE 
IMMACULATE  HEART  OF  MARY. 

V.  Incline  unto  my  aid,  0  God! 

R.  0  Lord!  make  haste  to  help  me. 

V.  Glory  he  to  the  Father,  etc. 

R.  As  it  was,  etc. 


The  Feast  of  the  Immaculate  Heart  of  Mary.  267 

1.  Immaculate  Virgin,  who,  conceived  without 
sin,  didst  direct  every  movement  of  thy  most  pure 
heart  to  that  God  who  was  ever  the  object  of  thy 
love,  and  who  wast  ever  most  submissive  to  his 
will,  obtain  for  me  the  grace  to  hate  sin  with  my 
whole  heart,  and  to  learn  of  thee  to  live  in  per¬ 
fect  resignation  to  the  will  of  God. 

Eecite  one  “  Our  Father and  seven  “  Hail 
Marys: ” 

Heart  transpierced  with  pain  and  woe! 

Set  my  heart  with  love  aglow. 

2.  I  marvel,  Mary,  at  thy  deep  humility,  through 
which  thy  blessed  heart  was  troubled  at  the 
gracious  message  brought  thee  by  Gabriel  the 
archangel,  that  thou  wast  chosen  Mother  of  the 
Son  of  the  Most  High,  and  through  which  thou 
didst  proclaim  thyself  his  humble  handmaid; 
wherefore,  in  great  confusion  at  the  sight  of  my 
pride,  I  ask  thee  for  the  grace  of  a  contrite  and 
humble  heart,  that,  knowing  my  own  misery,  I 
may  obtain  that  crown  of  glory  promised  to  the 
truly  humble  of  heart. 

Our  Father,  etc.  Heart,  etc. 

3.  Blessed  Virgin,  who  in  thy  sweetest  heart 
didst  keep,  as  a  precious  treasure,  the  words  of 
Jesus  thy  Son,  and,  pondering  on  the  lofty  mys¬ 
teries  they  contained,  didst  learn  to  live  for  God 


26  8 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


alone:  how  cloth  my  cold  heart  confound  me.  0 
dearest  Mother,  get  me  grace  so  to  meditate  with¬ 
in  my  heart  upon  God’s  holy  law,  that  I  may  strive 
to  follow  thee  in  the  fervent  practice  of  every 
Christian  virtue. 

Our  Father,  etc.  Heart,  etc. 

4.  Glorious  Queen  of  martyrs,  whose  sacred 
heart  was  pierced  in  thy  Son’s  hitter  Passion  by 
the  sword  whereof  the  holy  old  man  Simeon  had 
prophesied,  gain  for  my  heart  true  courage  and  a 
holy  patience  to  hear  the  troubles  and  misfortunes 
of  this  miserable  life,  that  so,  by  crucifying  my 
flesh  with  its  desires,  while  following  the  mortifi¬ 
cation  of  the  cross,  I  may,  indeed,  show  myself  to 
be  a  true  son  of  thine. 

Our  Father,  etc.  Heart,  etc. 

5.  0  Mary,  mystical  rose,  whose  loving  heart, 
burning  with  the  living  fire  of  charity,  did  accept 
us  for  thy  sons  at  the  cross’s  foot,  becoming  thus 
our  tender  Mother,  make  me  feel  the  sweetness  of 
thy  maternal  heart  and  thy  power  with  Jesus,  that 
when  menaced  by  the  perils  of  this  mortal  life, 
and  most  of  all  in  the  dread  hour  of  death,  my 
heart,  united  with  thine  own,  may  love  my  Jesus 
then  and  through  all  ages.  Amen. 

Our  Father,  etc.  Heart,  etc. 

Let  us  now  turn  to  the  most  sacred  Heart  of 
Jesus.  Hat  he  mfhme  us  with  his  holy  love. 


The  Feast  of  the  Annunciation. 


269 


0  divine  Heart  of  Jesus,  to  Thee  I  consecrate 
myself,  full  of  deep  gratitude  for  the  many  bless¬ 
ings  I  have  received,  and  daily  do  receive,  from 
Thy  boundless  charity.  With  my  whole  heart  I 
thank  Thee  for  having,  in  addition  to  them  all, 
vouchsafed  to  give  me  Thy  own  most  holy  Mother, 
giving  me  to  her  as  a  son  in  the  person  of  the 
beloved  disciple.  Let  my  heart  ever  burn  with 
love  for  Thee,  finding  in  Thy  sweetest  Heart  its 
peace,  its  refuge,  and  its  happiness. 


THE  FEAST  OF  THE  ANNUNCIATION. 

(March  25th.) 

HISTORICAL  EXPLANATION. 

The  most  plausible  opinion  relative  to  the 
origin  of  the  celebration  of  this  feast  is  the  one 
which  sets  the  beginning  of  its  celebration  towards 
the  end  of  the  fourth  century  in  the  Greek  Church 
and  a  little  later  in  the  Western.  Proclus,  the 
successor  of  St.  Chrysostom,  preached  sermons  on 
this  feast.  It  was  known  under  various  names — 
the  “  Day  of  the  Angels’  Greeting  ”  and  so  on. 
In  earlier  times  it  was  also  celebrated  on  various 
dates — in  Spain,  for  instance,  on  the  18th  of 
December,  and  in  Milan  on  the  Sunday  before 
Christmas. 


270 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


NO  VENA  FOE  THE  FEAST  OF  THE 
ANNUNCIATION. 

(Novena  begins  March  16th  and  ends  March  24th.) 

NINE  SALUTATIONS. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  etc.,  as  on  page  231. 

1.  With  wonder  I  revere  thee,  holiest  Virgin 
Mary,  for  of  all  God’s  creatures  thou  wast  hum¬ 
blest  on  the  very  day  of  thy  annunciation,  when 
God  himself  exalted  thee  to  the  sublime  dignity 
of  his  own  Mother.  0  mightiest  Virgin,  make 
me,  wretched  sinner  that  I  am,  know  the  depths 
of  my  own  nothingness,  and  make  me  humble 
myself  at  last,  with  all  my  heart,  beneath  the  feet 
of  all  men. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

2.  0  Mary,  holiest  Virgin,  who,  when  the  arch¬ 
angel  Gabriel  hailed  thee  in  thy  annunciation, 
and  thou  wast  raised  by  God  above  all  choirs  of 
the  angels,  didst  confess  thyself  the  handmaid  of 
the  Lord — “  Ecce  ancilla  Domini — Behold  the 
handmaid  of  the  Lord  ” — do  thou  obtain  for  me 
true  humility  and  a  truly  angelic  purity,  and  so 
to  live  on  earth  as  ever  to  be  worthy  of  the  bless¬ 
ings  of  God. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

3.  With  thee  I  rejoice,  0  Virgin  ever  blest!  be- 


The  Feast  of  the  Annunciation . 


271 


cause  by  a  simple  fiat ,  uttered  by  thee  so  humbly, 
thou  didst  draw  down  from  the  bosom  of  the 
Eternal  Father  the  divine  Word  into  thine  own 
pure  bosom.  0  draw,  then,  ever  my  heart  to  God; 
and  with  God  bring  grace  into  my  heart,  that  L 
may  ever  sincerely  bless  thy  fat ,  and  with  devo¬ 
tion  cry:  0  almighty  fat!  0  fat  efficacious!  0 
fat  to  be  venerated  above  all  fats! 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

4.  Mary,  mighty  Virgin,  thou  who  on  the  day 
of  thy  annunciation  wast  found  by  the’  archangel 
Gabriel  so  prompt  and  ready  to  do  God’s  will,  and 
to  correspond  with  the  desires  of  the  august 
Trinity,  who  wished  for  thy  consent  in  order  to 
redeem  the  world,  obtain  for  me  that  whatever 
happens,  good  or  ill,  I  may  turn  to  my  God  and 
with  resignation  say:  “Fiat,  fat  mihi  secundum 
verbum  tuum — Be  it  done  to  me  according  to  Thy 
word.” 


Hail  Mary,  etc. 

5.  I  see  that  thy  obedience,  Mary  most  holy, 
united  thee  so  closely  to  God,  that  all  creation 
never  shall  know  again  union  so  fair  and  perfect: 
<e  Magis  Deo  conjungi ,  nisi  feret  Deus  non  potuit — 
She  could  not  have  been  more  united  to  God  ex¬ 
cept  by  being  God  herself.”  I  am  overwhelmed 
with  confusion  in  seeing  how  my  sins  have  sepa¬ 
rated  me  from  God.  Help  me,  then,  gentle 


272 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Mother,  to  repent  sincerely  of  my  sins,  that  I  may 
be  reunited  to  thy  loving  Jesus. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

6.  Holiest  Mary,  if,  through  thy  modesty,  thou 
wert  troubled  at  the  appearance  of  the  archangel 
Gabriel  in  thy  dwelling,  I  am  terrified  at  the  sight 
of  my  monstrous  pride.  By  thy  incomparable 
humility,  which  brought  forth  God  for  men,  re¬ 
opened  paradise,  and  let  the  captive  souls  go  free 
from  hell  beneath  (quce  Deum  hominibus  peperit 
paradisum  aperuit  et  animus  ah  inferno  liberavit), 
draw  me,  I  pray  thee,  out  of  the  deep  pit  wherein 
my  sins  have  cast  me,  and  make  me  save  my  soul. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

7.  Though  my  tongue  is  unhallowed,  yet,  pur¬ 
est  Virgin,  I  presume  to  hail  thee  every  hour 
of  the  day:  “Ave,  ave,  Maria,  gratia  plena — Hail, 
hail,  Mary,  full  of  grace P  From  my  heart  I  pray 
thee  pour  into  my  soul  a  little  of  that  mighty 
grace  wherewith  the  Holy  Spirit  overshadowed 
thee,  filled  thee  to  the  full. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

8.  I  believe,  holiest  Mary,  that  the  almighty 
God,  who  was  ever  with  thee  from  thy  concep¬ 
tion  (“  Dominus  tecum — The  Lord  is  with  thee  *’), 
is,  by  His  incarnation  in  thy  purest  womb,  still 
more  closely  united  to  thee:  make  it  thy  care,  I 
pray  thee,  that  I  may  be  with  that  same  dear 


The  Feast  of  the  Annunciation. 


273 


Lord  J esus,  ever  one,  heart  and  soul,  by  means  of 
.sanctifying  grace. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

9.  0  holiest  Mary!  bless  me,  my  heart  and  soul, 
as  thou  thyself  was  ever  blessed  of  God  among 
all  women  ( benedicta  tu  in  mulieribus) ;  for  1  have 
this  sure  hope,  that  if,  dear  Mother,  thou  bless 
me  while  I  live,  then  when  I  die  I  shall  be  blessed 
of  God  in  the  everlasting  glory  of  heaven. 

Then  say  the  Litany,  and  afterward : 

V.  The  angel  of  the  Lord  declared  unto  Mary. 

B.  And  she  conceived  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Let  us  Pray. 

0  God,  who,  by  the  message  of  an  angel,  didst 
will  that  Thy  divine  Word  should  take  flesh  from 
the  womb  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary!  grant 
unto  us,  Thy  suppliants,  that  we,  who  believe  her 
to  be  truly  the  Mother  of  God,  may  be  helped  by 
her  intercession  with  Thee.  Amen. 

For  making  the  above  novena  an  indulgence  of 
three  hundred  days  every  day,  and  a  plenary  indul¬ 
gence  on  the  feast  itself  or  on  any  day  in  its  octave. 
— Pius  VII.,  Aug.  4,  Nov.  24,  1808;  Jan.  11,  1809. 

MEDITATION. 

i. 

When  God  was  pleased  to  send  his  Son  on  earth, 
that  by  becoming  man  he  might  redeem  lost  man. 


274 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


he  chose  for  him  a  Virgin  Mother,  who,  amongst 
all  virgins,  was  the  most  pure,  the  most  holy,  and 
the  most  humble.  Behold,  whilst  Mary  was  in 
her  poor  dwelling,  beseeching  God  to  send  the 
promised  Redeemer,  an  angel  stood  before  her  and 
saluted  her,  saying,  Hail,  full  of  grace;  the  Lord 
is  with  thee ;  Messed  art  thou  among  women.  (Luke 
i.  28.)  And  what  was  the  conduct  of  this  humble 
Virgin  when  she  heard  so  honorable  a  salutation? 
She  was  not  elated,  but  was  silent  and  troubled, 
considering  herself  indeed  unworthy  of  such 
praises:  she  ivas  troubled  at  his  saying. 

0  Mary,  thou  art  so  humble,  and  I  am*  so  filled 
with  pride;  obtain  for  me  holy  humility. 

ii. 

Think  you  that  these  praises  caused  Mary  at 
least  to  suspect  that  she  might  be  the  destined 
Mother  of  the  Redeemer?  Vo;  they  only  caused 
her  to  conceive  a  great  fear  of  herself;  so  much  so, 
indeed,  that  the  angel  had  to  encourage  her:  Fear 
not,  Mary;  for  thou  hast  found  grace  with  God. 
He  then  announced  to  her  that  she  was  the 
chosen  Mother  of  the  Redeemer  of  the  world:  Be¬ 
hold  thou  shalt  conceive  in  thy  womb,  and  shalt  bring 
forth  a  Son,  arid  thou  shalt  call  his  name  Jesus. 

Blessed  art  thou,  0  Mary;  how  dear  wast  thou 


The  Feast  of  the  Annunciation. 


275 


to  God,  and  how  dear  art  thou  still  to  him!  Have 
pity  on  me. 

in. 

“And  now,  0  holy  Virgin,”  says  St.  Bernard, 
“  why  dost  thou  delay  thy  consent?  The  Eternal 
Word  awaits  it  to  clothe  himself  with  flesh  and 
become  thy  Son.  We  also  await  it,  who  in  misery 
are  condemned  to  eternal  death.  If  thou  con- 
sentest,  and  acceptest  to  become  his  Mother,  we 
shall  be  made  free.  Quickly,  0  Lady,  answer. 
Delay  not  the  salvation  of  the  world,  which  de¬ 
pends  on  thy  consent.”  But  let  us  rejoice,  for 
Mary  alreadv  answers  the  angel:  Behold  the  hand- 
maid  of  the  Lord ;  he  it  done  to  me  according  to  thy 
word.  “  Behold,”  she  says,  “  the  slave  of  the 
Lord,  who  is  bound  to  do  all  that  her  Lord  com¬ 
mands.”  If  he  chooses  a  slave  for  his  Mother, 
it  is  not  she  who  is  to  be  praised,  but  the  good¬ 
ness  of  that  Lord  alone,  who  is  thus  graciously 
pleased  to  honor  her. 

Example. 

St.  Francis  Xavier,  who  like  the  apostles  was 
called  to  preach  the  faith  in  far  countries,  was  sus¬ 
tained  in  all  his  labors  by  the  protection  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin,  whose  devout  client  and  servant  he 
was.  He  had  such  vivid  faith  in  her  intercession 
that  he  had  recourse  to  her  for  every  grace.  In  the 
Church  of  Our  Lady  at  Montmartre  in  Paris  (1534) 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


276 

he  consecrated  himself  to  the  apostolic  life  on  the 
Feast  of  her  Assumption,  and  in  her  church  at 
Loretto  he  received  the  interior  call  to  go  to  India. 
To  publicly  acknowledge  himself  a  servant  of  Mary, 
he  wore  her  rosary  on  his  breast. 

When  the  saint  explained  the  doctrines  of  our 
holy  religion  to  the  Oriental  people  among  whom 
he  labored,  he  was  wont  to  close  with  the  Salve 
Idegina,  entreating  the  Mother  of  grace  to  pre¬ 
serve  the  faith  to  these  people.  Often  he  spent  the 
whole  night  in  a  church  in  prayer,  usually  before  a 
picture  of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  To  her  he  went  for 
help  in  his  own  affairs  and  in  those  of  his  spiritual 
children,  imploring  her  intercession  with  a  child¬ 
like  trust.  ITe  had  a  particular  veneration  for  the 
mystery  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  and  made 
a  vow  to  defend  it  with  all  his  power.  Dying,  he 
fervently  called  upon  Mary  and  gave  up  his  saintly 
spirit  into  her  hands  and  those  of  her  divine  Son. 

Prayer. 

O  most  humble  Mary,  thou  by  this  thy  humility 
didst  so  enamor  thy  God  that  thou  didst  draw  him 
to  thee,  so  as  to  become  thy  Son  and  our  Redeemer. 
I  know  that  thy  Son  refuses  thee  nothing  that  thou 
askest  him.  Ask  him  to  forgive  all  the  offences 
that  I  have  committed  against  him;  ask  him  to  grant 
me  perseverance  until  death.  In  fine,  recommend 
my  soul  to  him ;  for  thy  recommendations  meet 
with  no  denial  from  a  Son  who  loves  thee  so  much. 
O  Mary,  thou  hast  to  save  me ;  thou  art  my  hope. 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors. 


277 


THE  FEAST  OF  THE  SEVEN  DOLORS. 

(Friday  before  Palm  Sunday.) 

HISTORICAL  EXPLANATION 

The  first  trace  of  this  feast  is  found  in  Germany 
in  the  beginning  of  the  fifteenth  century.  In  the 
year  1413  a  synod  assembled  at  Cologne  under 
Archbishop  Theodoricus  and  ordered  the  keeping 
of  this  day  to  combat  the  heresies  of  the  Hussites, 
who  were  particularly  active  in  destroying  images 
and  pictures  of  Our  Lady  of  Sorrows. 

Sixtus  IV.  gave  a  special  Mass  for  the  day,  and 
Benedict  XIII.  extended  the  feast  to  the  whole 
Church,  fixing  it  for  the  Friday  before  Palm  Sun¬ 
day.  The  devotion  to  the  Sorrowful  Mother  has 
been  promoted  especially  by  the  Cistercians  and 
the  Servites,  the  former  keeping  the  feast  on  the 
17th  of  April  and  the  latter  on  the  third  Sunday 
in  September.  It  is  certainly  meet  that  the  suf¬ 
ferings  of  the  Sorrowful  Mother  be  commemo¬ 
rated  on  a  special  day. 


MEDITATIONS  ON  THE  SEVEN  DOLORS. 

I. 

St.  Simeon’s  Prophecy. 

In  this  valley  of  tears  every  man  is  born  to 
weep,  and  all  must  suffer,  by  enduring  the  evils 


278 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


which  are  of  daily  occurrence.  But  how  much 
greater  would  the  misery  of  life  he  did  ^e  also 
know  the  future  evils  which  await  us! 

Our  Lord  conceals  the  trials  which  await  us, 
that,  whatever  they  may  be,  we  may  endure  them 
hut  once.  He  did  not  show  Mary  this  compas¬ 
sion,  for  she,  whom  God  willed  to  he  the  Queen 
of  sorrows,  and  in  all  things  like  his  Son,  had  to 
see  always  before  her  eyes  and  continually  to  suf¬ 
fer  all  the  torments  that  awaited  her;  and  these 
were  the  sufferings  of  the  Passion  and  death  of  her 
beloved  Jesus;  for  in  the  Temple,  St.  Simeon,  hav¬ 
ing  received  the  divine  Child  in  his  arms,  foretold 
to  her  that  that  Son  would  be  a  mark  for  all  the 
persecutions  and  oppositions  of  men.  Behold,  this 
Child  is  set  .  .  .  for  a  sign  which  shall  he  contra¬ 
dicted.  And  therefore  that  a  sword  of  sorrow 
should  pierce  her  soul:  And  thy  own  soul  a  sword 
shall  pierce.  (Luke  ii.  3d,  35.) 

The  Blessed  Virgin  herself  told  St.  Matilda 
that,  on  this  announcement  of  St.  Simeon,  “  all 
her  joy  was  changed  into  sorrow/'’  For,  as  it  was 
revealed  to  St.  Teresa,  though  the  Blessed  Mother 
already  knew  that  the  life  of  her  Son  would  be 
sacrificed  for  the  salvation  of  the  world,  yet  she 
then  learnt  more  distinctly  and  in  greater  detail 
the  sufferings  and  cruel  death  that  awaited  her 
poor  Son.  She  knew  that  he  would  be  contra- 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors. 


279 


dieted,  and  this  in  everything:  contradicted  in  his 
doctrines;  for,  instead  of  being  believed,  he  would 
be  esteemed  a  blasphemer  for  teaching  that  he 
was  the  Son  of  God;  that  he  would  be  considered 
so  notoriously  wicked  that,  as  the  Jews  said  to 
Pilate,  no  trial  was  necessary  to  condemn  him. 
If  he  were  not  a  malefactor,  we  would  not  have  de¬ 
livered  him  up  to  thee  (John  xviii.  30);  that  he 
would  be  contradicted  in  his  very  soul;  for  even 
his  Eternal  Father,  to  give  place  to  divine  justice, 
contradicted  him  by  refusing  to  hear  his  prayer 
when  he  said,  Father,  if  it  he  possible,  let  this 
chalice  pass  from  me  (Matt.  xxvi.  39);  and  aban¬ 
doned  him  to  fear,  weariness,  and  sadness;  so  that 
our  afflicted  Lord  exclaimed  My  soul  is  sorrowful 
unto  death!  (ib.  38),  and  his  interior  sufferings 
even  caused  him  to  sweat  blood.  She  knew  that, 
tortured  in  all  his  sacred  members,  in  his  hands, 
his  feet,  his  face,  his  head,  and  in  his  whole  body, 
drained  of  his  blood  and  an  object  of  scorn,  he 
would  die  of  torments  on  an  ignominious  cross. 

The  Evangelist  says  that  as  Jesus  Christ  ad¬ 
vanced  in  years,  so  also  did  he  advance  in  wisdom 
and  in  grace  with  God  and  men.  (Luke  ii.  52.) 
This  is  to  be  understood,  as  St.  Thomas  explains 
it,  that  he  advanced  in  wisdom  and  grace  in  the 
estimation  of  men  and  before  God,  inasmuch  as  all 
his  works  would  continually  have  availed  to  in- 


280  Practices  of  Devotion. 

crease  his  merit,  had  not  grace  been  conferred 
upon  him  from  the  beginning,  in  its  complete  ful¬ 
ness,  by  virtue  of  the  hypostatic  union.  But  since 
Jesus  advanced  in  the  love  and  esteem  of  others, 
how  much  more  must  he  have  advanced  in  that 
of  Mary!  But,  0  God,  as  love  increased  in  her, 
so  much  the  more  did  her  grief  increase  at  the 
thought  of  having  to  lose  him  by  so  cruel  a  death; 
and  the  nearer  the  time  of  the  Passion  of  her  Son 
approached,  so  much  the  deeper  did  that  sword  of 
sorrow,  foretold  by  Simeon,  pierce  the  heart  of  his. 
Mother.  This  was  precisely  revealed  .by  the  angel 
to  St.  Bridget,  saying:  “  That  sword  of  sorrow  was 
every  hour  approaching  nearer  to  the  Blessed  Vir¬ 
gin  as  the  time  for  the  Passion  of  her  Son  drew 
near/’ 

Since,  then,  Jesus,  our  King,  and  his  most  holy 
Mother,  did  not  refuse,  for  love  of  us,  to  suffer  so 
cruel  pains  throughout  their  lives,  it  is  reasonable 
that  we,  at  least,  should  not  complain  if  we  have 
to  suffer  something. 

Example. 

St.  Francis  IJieronymo,  that  great  saint  of  the 
eighteenth  century,  was  as  remarkable  for  his  devo¬ 
tion  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  as  for  his  missionary 
labors.  He  fasted  every  Saturday,  and  on  the  feasts 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin  he  added  other  works  of 
penance  to  the  fast.  Our  blessed  Mother  was  his 
comfort  in  his  trials,  his  strength  in  his  labors,  and 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors . 


281 


his  refuge  in  perils.  He  recited  the  Rosary  every 
day,  even  while  he  was  on  his  most  laborious  mis¬ 
sions.  He  endeavored  at  all  times  to  imitate  the 
virtues  of  Mary,  particularly  her  great  and  active 
charity. 

In  Naples  and  other  cities  of  Italy  he  labored 
incessantly  for  the  conversion  of  sinners,  in  the  pul¬ 
pit,  in  the  confessional,  at  sick-beds,  in  prisons, 
wherever  his  ardor  for  souls  led  him.  And  because 
he  knew  of  his  own  experience  what  a  great  means 
of  grace  is  the  veneration  of  the  Blessed  Virgin, 
it  was  his  aim  to  spread  the  devotion  to  her  in  every 
way  that  he  could.  In  his  sermons  and  instructions 
he  constantly  dwelt  upon  her  virtues,  her  charity  to¬ 
wards  men,  and  the  benefits  to  be  obtained  through 
her  intercession. 

He  especially  recommended  recourse  to  Mary  in 
temptations  against  purity  and  said,  “  Whoever  is 
not  a  faithful  servant  of  Mary,  will  hardly  be 
saved.”  Among  the  members  of  his  congregations 
and  the  confraternities  which  he  directed  he  in¬ 
troduced  the  pious  custom  of  publicly  renewing  the 
personal  dedication  to  the  service  of  Mary  once  every 
month.  Everywhere  he  went  it  was  noticeable  how 
the  devotion  to  the  Mother  of  Our  Lord  received 
fresh  vigor. 

In  this  way  the  saint  won  his  own  salvation  and 
showed  the  way  to  holiness  to  thousands  of  others. 
So  much  may  a  soul  accomplish  that  loves  Mary 
deeply  and  faithfully. 

St.  Francis  Ilieronymo  died  on  •the  11th  of  May, 
1716,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four,  after  having  labored 
for  forty  years  as  a  missionary. 

Prayer. 

Ah,  my  blessed  Mother,  it  is  not  one  sword  only 
with  which  I  have  pierced  thy  heart,  but  I  have  done 


282 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


so  with  as  many  as  are  the  sins  which  I  have  com¬ 
mitted.  Ah,  Lady,  it  is  not  to  thee,  who  art  inno¬ 
cent,  that  sufferings  are  due,  but  to  me,  who  am 
guilty  of  so  many  crimes.  But  since  thou  hast 
been  jfieased  to  suffer  so  much  for  me,  ah,  by  thy 
merits,  obtain  me  great  sorrow  for  my  sins,  and 
patience  under  the  trials  of  this  life,  which  will 
always  be  light  in  comparison  with  my  demerits ;  for 
I  have  often  deserved  hell.  Amen. 


II. 

The  Flight  of  Jesus  into  Egypt. 

Let  us  now  consider  the  second  sword  of  sorrow 
which  wounded  Mary,  in  the  flight  of  her  In¬ 
fant  Jesus  into  Egypt  from  the  persecution  of 
Herod. 

Herod,  having  heard  that  the  expected  Messias 
was  born,  foolishly  feared  that  he  would  deprive 
him  of  his  kingdom.  Hence  St.  Fulgentius,  re¬ 
proving  him  for  his  folly,  thus  addresses  him: 
“  Why  art  thou  troubled,  0  Herod?  This  King 
who  is  born  comes  not  to  conquer  kings  by  the 
sword,  but  to  subjugate  them  wonderfully  by  his 
death/’  The  impious  Herod,  therefore,  waited  to 
hear  from  the  hofy  Magi  where  the  King  was  bofn, 
that  he  might  take  Ids  life;  but  finding  himself  de¬ 
ceived,  he  ordered  all  the  male  infants  that  could 
be  found  in  the  neighborhood  of  Bethlehem  to  be 
put  to  death.  Then  it  was  that  the  angel  appeared 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors. 


283 


in  a  dream  to  St.  Joseph,  and  desired  him  to  Arise> 
and  take  the  Child  and  his  Mother ,  and  fly  into 
Egypt.  (Matt.  ii.  13.) 

Seeing  that  he  was  no  sooner  horn  than  he  was 
persecuted  unto  death,  what  anguish,  writes  St. 
John  Chrysostom,  must  the  intimation  of  that 
cruel  exile  of  herself  and  her  Son  have  caused  in 
her  heart:  “  Flee  from  thy  friends  to  strangers,, 
from  God’s  temple  to  the  temples  of  devils.  What 
greater  tribulation  than  that  a  new-born  child, 
hanging  from  its  mother’s  breast,  and  she  too  in 
poverty,  should  with  him  be  forced  to  fly?  ” 

Any  one  may  imagine  what  Mary  must  have 
suffered  on  this  journey.  Mary  was  then  fifteen 
years  of  age — a  delicate  young  woman,  unaccus- 

o  j  o  y 

tomed  to  such  journeys.  0  God,  what  a. touching 
sight  must  it  have  been  to  have  beheld  that  tender 
Virgin,  with  her  new-born  babe  in  her  arms,  wan¬ 
dering  through  the  world!  “  But  how,”  asks  St. 
Bonaventure,  “  did  they  obtain  their  food?  Where 
did  they  repose  at  night?  IIow  were  they 
lodged?  ”  What  can  they  have  eaten  but  a  piece 
of  hard  bread,  either  bought  by  St.  Joseph  or 
begged  as  an  alms?  Where  can  they  have  slept  on 
such  a  road,  unless  on  the  sand  or  under  a  tree  in 
a  wood,  exposed  to  the  air  and  the  dangers  of  rob¬ 
bers  and  wild  beasts?  Ah,  had  any  one  met  these 
three  greatest  personages  in  the  world,  for  whom 


284 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


could  he  have  taken  them  but  for  poor  wandering 
beggars  ? 

They  resided  in  Egypt,  according  to  Brocard 
and  Jansenius,  in  a  district  called  Maturea;  though 
St.  Anselm  says  that  they  lived  in  the  city  of 
Heliopolis,  or  at  Memphis,  now  called,  old  .Cairo. 
They  were  foreigners,  unknown,  without  revenues, 
money,  or  relatives,  barely  able  to  support  them¬ 
selves  by  their  humble  efforts.  “  As  they  were 
destitute,”  says  St.  Basil,  “  it  is  evident  that  they 
must  have  labored  much  to  provide  themselves 
with  the  necessaries  of  life.” 

After  the  death  of  Herod,  St.  Matthew  relates, 
the  angel  again  appeared  to  St.  Joseph  in  a  dream, 
and  directed  them  to  return  to-  Judea.  St.  Bona- 
venture,  speaking  of  this  return,  considers  how 
much  greater  the  Blessed  Virgin’s  sufferings  must 
have  been  on  account  of  the  pains  of  Jesus  being 
so  much  increased,  as  he  was  then  about  seven 
years  of  age — an  age,  remarks  the  saint,  at  which 
"he  was  too  big  to  be  carried,  and  not  strong 
enough  to  walk  without  assistance.” 

The  sight,  then,  of  Jesus  and  Mary  wandering 
as  fugitives  through  the  world,  teaches  us  that  we 
also  must  live  as  pilgrims  here  below;  detached 
from  the  goods  which  the  world  offers  us,  and 
wdiich  we  must  soon  leave  to  enter  eternity:  We 
have  not  here  a  lasting  city,  hut  seek  one  that  is  to 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors.  285 

come,  (Heb.  xiii.  14.)  To  which  St.  Augustine 
adds:  “  Thou  art  a  guest:  thou  givest  a  look,  and 
passest  on.”  It  also  teaches  us  to  embrace  crosses, 
for  without  them  we  cannot  live  in  this  world. 
Whoever  wishes  to  feel  less  the  sufferings  of  this 
life  must  go  in  company  with  Jesus  and  Mary: 
“  Take  the  Child  and  his  Mother.’7  All  suffer¬ 
ings  become  light,  and  even  sweet  and  desirable, 
to  him  who  bv  his  love  bears  this  Son  and  this 
Mother  in  his  heart.  Let  us,  then,  love  them;  let 
us  console  Mary  by  welcoming  in  our  hearts  her 
Son,  whom  men  even  now  continue  to  persecute 
by  their  sins. 

Example. 

It  is  related  in  the  life  of  St.  Alphonsus  Liguori 
that  he  once  met  a  woman  who  was  a  great  sinner. 
Amid  tears  she  told  him  the  hopelessness  of  her  spir¬ 
itual  condition.  He  encouraged  her  as  follows: 
“  Be  of  good  heart,  my  daughter,  I  will  show  you 
a  way  by  which  you  may  return  to  the  Saviour  whom 
you  have  forsaken.  We  have  a  good  Mother,  the 
Blessed  Virgin.  In  her  we  may  place  our  hope,  for 
the  Church  hails  her  as  the  refuge  of  sinners.  How 
much  will  not  a  good  mother  do  for  her  children  ? 
If  one  falls  she  leaves  the  others  to  help  up  the  fallen 
one,  then  she  soothes  it  and  cleans  it.  Turn  then 
to  the  Blessed  Virgin  like  a  fallen  child  to  its 
mother  and  she  will  raise  you  up  and  free  your 
soul  from  the  stain  of  sin  and  soothe  the  pangs  of 
your  soul.”  The  woman  did  as  she  was  advised  and 
found  eternal  salvation  through  the  intercession  of 
the  Blessed  Mother. 


286 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Prayer. 

Then,  O  Mary,  even  after  thy  Son  hath  died  by 
the  hands  of  men,  who  persecuted  him  unto  death, 
these  ungrateful  men  have  not  yet  ceased  persecut¬ 
ing  him  by  their  sins,  and  continue  to  afflict  thee, 
O  sorrowful  Mother!  And,  O  God,  I  also  have  been 
one  of  these.  Ah,  my  most  sweet  Mother,  obtain 
me  tears  to  weep  over  such  ingratitude.  By  the 
sufferings  thou  didst  endure  on  that  journey  to 
Egypt,  assist  me  on  the  journey  which  I  am  now 
making  to  eternity,  that  thus  I  may  at  length  be 
united  to  thee  in  loving  my  persecuted  Saviour  in 
the  kingdom  of  the  blessed.  Amen. 

III. 

The  Loss  of  Jesus  in  the  Temple. 

The  sorrow  which  we  have  this  day  to  consider 
was  one  of  the  greatest  that  Mary  had  to  endure  in 
her  life — the  loss  of  her  Son  in  the  Temple. 

He  who  is  born  blind  feels  but  little  the  priva¬ 
tion  of  the  light  of  day;  but  he  who  has  once  en- 
joyed  it,  and  loses  it  by  becoming  blind,  indeed 
suffers  much.  Thus  it  is  also  with  those  unhappy 
souls  who,  blinded  by  the  mire  of  the  world,  have 
but  little  knowledge  of  God — they  suffer  but  little 
at  not  finding  him;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  he 
who,  illumined  by  celestial  light,  has  become 
worthy  to  find  by  love  the  sweet  presence  of  the 
supreme  good,  0  God,  how  bitterly  does  he  grieve 
when  he  finds  himself  deprived  of  it!  Hence,  let 


The  Feast  of  tie  Seven  Dolors. 


287 


ns  see  how  much  Mary  must  have  suffered  from 
this  third  sword  of  sorrow  which  pierced  her  heart, 
when,  having  lost  her  Jesus  in  Jerusalem  for  three 
days,  she  was  deprived  of  his  most  sweet  presence, 
accustomed  as  she  was  constantly  to  enjoy  it. 

There  are  some  who  assert,  and  not  without 
reason,  that  this  dolor  was  not  only  one  of  the 
greatest,  but  the  greatest  and  most  painful  of  all. 
For,  in  the  first  place,  Mary,  in  her  other  dolors, 
had  Jesus  with  her:  she  suffered  when  St.  Simeon 
prophesied  to  her  in  the  Temple;  she  suffered  in 
the  flight  into  Egypt,  but  still  in  company  with 
Jesus;  but  in  this  dolor  she  suffered  far  from 
Jesus,  not  knowing  where  he  was:  And  the  light,  of 
my  eyes  itself  is  not  with  me.  (Ps.  xxxvii.  11.) 
Origen  says  that  through  the  love  which  this  holy 
Mother  bore  her  Son,  “  she  suffered  more  in  this 
loss  of  Jesus  than  any  martyr  ever  suffered  in  the 
•.separation  of  his  soul  from  his  body.” 

In  the  second  place,  Mary,  in  all  her  other  sor¬ 
rows,  well  understood  their  cause — the  redemption 
of  the  world,  the  divine  will;  but  in  this  she  knew 
not  the  cause  of  the  absence  of  her  Son.  “  The 
sorrowful  Mother,”  says  Lanspergius,  “  was 
grieved  at  the  absence  of  Jesus,  because,  in  her 
humility,  she  considered  herself  unworthy  to  re- 
main  longer  with  or  to  attend  upon  him  on  earth, 
.and  have  the  charge  of  so  great  a  treasure. 


288 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


“And  who  knows?  ”  perhaps  she  thought  within 
herself;  “  maybe  I  have  not  served  him  as  I  ought; 
perhaps  I  have  been  guilty  of  some  negligence, 
for  which  he  has  left  me.” 

Therefore  in  this  sorrow  alone  did  Mary  com¬ 
plain,  lovingly  expostulating  with  Jesus,  after  she 
had  found  him:  Son ,  why  hast  Thou  done  so  to  us? 
Thy  father  and  I  have  sought  Thee  sorrowing. 
(Luke  ii.  48.) 

This  sorrow  of  Mary  ought,  in  the  first  place,  to 
serve  as  a  consolation  to  those  souls  who  are  deso¬ 
late,  and  no  longer  enjoy,  as  they  once  enjoyed, 
the  sweet  presence  of  their  Lord.  They  may  weep, 
but  they  should  weep  in  peace,  as  Mary  wept  over 
the  absence  of  her  Son;  and  let  them  take  courage 
and  not  fear  that  on  this  account  they  have  lost 
the  divine  favor,  for  God  himself  assured  St. 
Teresa  that  “  no  one  is  lost  without  knowing  it, 
and  that  no  one  is  deceived  without  wishing  to  be 
deceived.”  If  Our  Lord  withdraws  himself  from 
the  sight  of  a  soul  that  loves  him,  he  does  not, 
therefore,  depart  from  the  heart;  he  often  con¬ 
ceals  himself  from  a  soul  that  it  may  seek  him 
with  a  more  ardent  desire  and  greater  love.  But 
whoever  wishes  to  find  Jesus  must  seek  him,  not 
amidst  delights  and  the  pleasures  of  the  world, 
but  amidst  crosses  and  mortifications,  as  Mary 
sought  him.  We  sought  Thee  sorrowing,  as  Mary 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors. 


289 


said  to  her  Son.  Learn,  then,  from  Mary,” 
says  Origen,  “  to  seek  Jesus.” 

Example. 

In  the  seventeenth  century  there  lived  in  Turin 
a  holy  nun  of  the  Order  of  the  Visitation,  who  was 
in  a  state  of  most  extraordinary  union  with  the 
Saviour.  Her  name  was  Joanna  Benigna  Goyos. 
She  had  a  particular  devotion  to  the  sacred  human¬ 
ity  of  the  Lord,  and  the  essence  of  her  spiritual  life 
was  in  the  constant  offering  up  of  all  her  actions 
and  thoughts  in  union  with  the  actions  of  Jesus. 
It  was  revealed  to  her  that  this  was  the  favorite  de¬ 
votion  of  Mary  and  J oseph  when  on  earth — “  an 
amiable  invention,”  as  she  called  it,  whereby  they 
acquired  infinite  graces.  When  Joanna  Benigna 
meditated  on  the  mysteries  of  the  thirty-three  years 
of  the  life  of  Our  Lord,  she  felt  herself  moved  by 
a  supernatural  attraction  to  unite  her  soul  with 
him  in  his  sorrows.  This  was  her  interior  occu¬ 
pation,  until  it  pleased  the  Lord  at  last  to  make 
known  to  her  some  of  the  mysteries  of  his  Sacred 
Heart.  He  revealed  to  her  that  the  three  days’ 
separation  from  Mary  and  Joseph  in  Jerusalem 
caused  him  more  pain  than  all  the  other  sorrows  of 
his  life.  For  in  the  grief  of  his  Mother  at  his  loss 
he  saw  also  her  grief  on  Calvary  when  they  would 
be  parted  by  death.  So  great  was  the  grief  of  Mary 
at  this  first  separation  that  it  would  have  caused  her 
death  but  for  the  inner  strength  given  her  by  his 
spiritual  union  with  his  Mother.  No  one  but  he 
himself  could  comprehend  it. 

Prayer. 

0  Blessed  Virgin,  why  dost  thou  afflict  thyself 
seeking  for  thy  lost  Son  ?  Ah,  Mary,  dost  thou  sigh 


290 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


after  Jesus,  thou  who  lovest  none  but  Jesus?  Leave 
sighs  to  me,  and  to  so  many  sinners  who  love  him 
not,  and  who  have  lost  him  by  offending  him.  My 
most  amiable  Mother,  if  through  my  fault  thy  Son 
is  not  yet  returned  to  my  soul,  do  thou  obtain  for 
me  that  I  may  find  him.  I  well  know  that  he  is 
found  by  those  who  seek  him:  The  Lord  is  good 
to  the  soul  that  seeketh  him.  (Lam.  iii.  25.)  But 
do  thou  make  me  seek  him  as  I  ought.  Thou  art 
the  gate  through  which  all  find  Jesus;  through  thee 
I  also  hope  to  find  him.  Amen. 


IV. 

The  Meeting  of  Mary  with  Jesus  when  he  was 

going  to  Death. 

The  greater  the  love  of  the  Blessed  Mother  for 
her  Son,  the  greater  her  grief  at  the  sight  of  his 
sufferings;  and  especially  when  she  met  her  Son, 
already  condemned  to  death,  and  bearing  his  cross 
to  the  place  of  punishment.  This  is  the  fourth 
sword  of  sorrow  that  we  have  this  day  to  con¬ 
sider.  In  the  morning  the  disciples  of  Jesus 
Christ  came  to  this  afflicted  Mother,  the  one  to 
bring  her  one  account,  the  other  another;  but  all 
were  tidings  of  sorrow,  verifying  in  her  the 
prophecy  of  Jeremias:  Weeping ,  she  hath  wept  in 
the  night,  and  her  tears  are  on  her  cheeks;  there  is 
none  to  comfort  her  of  all  them  that  were  dear  to  her. 
(Lam.  i.  2.)  Some  then  came  to  relate  to  her  the 
cruel  treatment  of  her  Son  in  the  house  of  Cai- 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors. 


291 


plias,  and  others  the  insults  he  had  received  from 
Herod.  Finally  St.  John  came.  “Ah!  afflicted 
Mother/'  said  St.  John,  “thy  Son  is  already  con¬ 
demned  to  death;  he  is  already  gone  forth,  bear¬ 
ing  himself  his  cross,  on  his  way  to  Calvary/7  as 
the  saint  afterwards  related  in  his  Gospels:  and 
bearing  his  own  cross  he  went  forth  to  that  place 
which  is  called  Calvary.  (John  xix.  17.)  “Come, 
if  thou  desirest  to  see  him,  and  bid  him  a  last 
farewell,  in  some  street  through  which  he  must 
pass.77 

St.  Bonaventure  represents  the  afflicted  Mother 
taking  a  shorter  way,  and  placing  herself  at  the 
corner  of  a  street,  to  meet  her  afflicted  Son  as  he 
was  passing  by.  While  Mary  was  waiting  in  that 
place,  how  much  must  she  have  heard  said  by  the 
Jews,  who  soon  recognized  her,  against  her  be¬ 
loved  Son,  and  perhaps  even  words  of  mockery 
against  herself. 

Alas,  what  a  scene  of  sorrows  then  presented 
itself  before  her! — the  nails,  the  hammers,  the 
cords,  the  fatal  instruments  of  the  death  of  her 
Son,  all  of  which  were  borne  before  him.  And 
what  a  sword  must  the  sound  of  that  trumpet 
have  been  to  her  heart  which  proclaimed  the  sen¬ 
tence  pronounced  against  her  Jesus! 

But  behold,  the  instruments,  the  trumpeter,  and 
the  executioners  have  alread}^  passed;  she  raised 


292 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


her  eyes  and  saw,  0  God!  a  young  man  covered 
with  blood  and  wounds  from  head  to  foot,  a  wreath 
of  thorns  on  his  head  and  two  heavy  beams  on  his 
shoulders.  She  looked  at  him,  and  hardly  recog¬ 
nized  him,  saying,  with  Isaias,  and  we  have  seen 
him ,  and  there  was  no  sightliness.  (Is.  liii.  2.) 
Yes,  for  the  wounds,  the  bruises,  and  the  clotted 
blood  disfigured  him  beyond  recognition. 

When  Margaret,  the  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas 
More,  met  her  father  on  his  way  to  death,  she 
could  only  exclaim,  aO  father!  father!”  and  fell 
fainting  at  his  feet.  Mary,  at  the  sight  of  her 
Son  on  his  way  to  Calvary  did  not  faint;  no,  for 
it  was  not  becoming,  as  Father  Suarez  remarks, 
that  this  Mother  should  lose  the  use  of  her  reason; 
nor  did  she  die,  for  God  reserved  her  for  greater 
grief. 

The  Mother  would  have  embraced  him,  as  St. 
Anselm  says,  but  the  guards  thrust  her  aside  with 
insults,  and  urged  forward  the  suffering  Lord;  and 
Mary  followed  him.  Ah,  holy  Virgin,  whither 
goest  thou?  To  Calvary.  And  canst  thou  trust 
thyself  to  behold  him  who  is  thy  life  hanging  on 
a  cross?  And  thy  life  shall  be,  as  it  were,  hanging 
before  thee.  (Dent,  xxviii.  66.)  Let  us,  then,  pity 
her,  and  let  us  also  accompany  her  Son  and  her¬ 
self  by  bearing  with  patience  the  cross  that  Our 
Lord  imposes  on  us.  St.  John  Chrysostom  asks 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors.  293 

why  Jesus  Christ,  in  his  other  sufferings,  was 
pleased  to  endure  them  alone,  but  in  carrying  his 
cross  wa’s  assisted  by  the  Cyrenean?  He  replies 
that  it  was  “  that  thou  mayest  understand  that  the 
cross  of  Christ  is  not  sufficient  without  thine.” 

Example. 

The  cross  unites  souls  to  God.  Blessed  Jerome 
Emilian,  when  a  soldier,  and  loaded  with  sins,  was 
shut  up  by  his  enemies  in  a  tower.  There,  moved 
by  his  misfortunes,  and  enlightened  by  God  to 
change  his  life,  he  had  recourse  to  the  ever-blessed 
Virgin ;  and  from  that  time,  by  the  help  of  this 
divine  Mother,  he  began  to  lead  the  life  of  a  saint, 
so  much  so  that  he  merited  once  to  see  the  very  high 
place  that  God  had  prepared  for  him  in  heaven. 
He  became  the  founder  of  the  religious  Order  of  the 
Somaschi,  died  as  a  saint,  and  has  lately  been 
canonized  by  the  holy  Church. 

Prayer. 

My  sorrowful  Mother,  by  the  merit  of  that  grief 
which  thou  didst  feel  in  seeing  thy  beloved  Jesus 
led  to  death,  obtain  me  the  grace  that  I  also  may 
bear  with  patience  the  crosses  which  God  sends  me. 
Happy  indeed  shall  I  be  if  I  only  know  how  to 
accompany  thee  with  my  cross  until  death.  Thou 
with  thy  Jesus — and  you  were  both  innocent — hast 
carried  a  far  heavier  cross ;  and  shall  I,  a  sinner, 
who  have  deserved  hell,  refuse  to  carry  mine?  Ah, 
immaculate  Virgin,  from  thee  do  I  hope  for  help 
to  bear  all  crosses  with  patience.  Amen. 


294 


Practices  of  Devotion . 


Y. 

The  Death  of  Jesus. 

We  have  now  to  witness  a  new  kind  of  martyr¬ 
dom — a  Mother  condemned  to  see  an  innocent 
Son,  and  one  whom  she  loves  with  the  whole  affec¬ 
tion  of  her  soul,  cruelly  tormented  and  put  to 
death  before  her  own  eves. 

There  stood  toy  the  cross  of  Jesus  his  Mother. 
(John  xix.  25.)  St.  John  believed  that  in  these 
words  he  had  said  enough  of  Mary's  martyrdom. 
Consider  her  at  the  foot  of  the  cross  in  the  pres¬ 
ence  of  her  dying  Son,  and  then  see  if  there  be  a 
sorrow  like  unto  her  sorrow. 

As  soon  as  our  agonized  Redeemer  had  reached 
the  Mount  of  Calvary,  the  executioners  stripped 
him  of  his  clothes,  and  piercing  his  hands  and  feet, 
thev  fastened  him  on  the  cross.  Having  crucified 
him,  they  planted  the  cross,  and  thus  left  him  to 
die.  The  executioners  left  him;  but  not  so  Mary. 
She  then  drew  nearer  to  the  cross  to  be  present 
at  his  death.  “  But  what  did  it  avail  thee,  0 
Lady/7  says  St.  Bonaventure,  “  to  go  to  Calvary 
and  see  this  Son  expire?  Shame  should  have  pre¬ 
vented  thee;  for  his  disgrace  was  thine,  since  thou 
wert  his  Mother.  Ah,  thy  heart  did  not  then  think 
of  its  own  sorrows,  but  of  the  sufferings  and  death 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors . 


295 


of  thy  dear  Son/'  and  therefore  thou  wouldst  thy¬ 
self  be  present,  at  least  to  compassionate  him. 
When  a  mother  is  obliged  to  witness  the  sufferings 
of  a  dying  child,  she  procures  all  possible  relief  for 
her  child,  but  0  Mary,  thou  hast  to  witness  the 
agony  of  thy  dying  Jesus;  but  thou  canst  adminis¬ 
ter  him  no  relief.  Mary  heard  her  Son  exclaim, 
I  thirst,  but  she  could  not  even  give  him  a  drop  of 
water  to  refresh  him  in  that  great  thirst.  She 
saw  that  on  that  bed  of  torture  her  Son,  suspended 
by  three  nails,  could  find  no  repose;  she  would 
have  clasped  him  in  her  arms  to  give  him  relief,  or 
that  at  least  he  might  there  have  expired,  but  she 
could  not.  She  beheld  that  poor  Son,  who  in  his 
sea  of  grief  sought  consolation,  as  it  was  foretold 
by  the  prophet,  but  in  vain:  I  have  trodden  the 
winepress  alone;  I  looked  about  and  there  was  none 
to  help ;  I  sought,  and  there  was  none  to  give  aid. 
(Is.  lxiii.  3.)  But  who  amongst  men  would  con¬ 
sole  him,  since  all  were  enemies?  Even  on  the 
cross  he  was  taunted  and  blasphemed  on  all 
sides:  And  they  that  passed  by,  blasphemed  him, 
wagging  their  heads.  (Matt,  xxvii.  39.) 

But  that  which  the  most  increased  the  sorrows 
which  Mary  endured  through  compassion  for  her 
Son  was  hearing  him  complain  on  the  cross  that 
even  his  Eternal  Father  had  abandoned  him:  My 
God,  my  God,  why  hast  Thou  forsaken  me?  (Matt. 


296 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


xxvii.  39.)  So  that  the  afflicted  Mother  saw  her 
Jesus  suffering  on  every  side;  she  desired  to  com¬ 
fort  him,  but  could  not.  But  if  Mary’s  lips  were 
silent,  her  heart  was  not  so,  for  she  incessantly 
offered  the  life  of  her  Son  to  the  divine  justice  for 
our  salvation.  Therefore  we  know  that  by  the 
merits  of  her  dolors  she  cooperated  in  our  birth  to 
the  life  of  grace;  and  hence  we  are  the  children  of 
her  sorrows.  And  indeed  these  were  the  last  words 
with  which  Jesus  bid  her  farewell  before  his 
death:  this  was  his  last  recommendation,  leaving 
us  to  her  for  her  children  in  the  person  of  St. 
John:  Woman ,  behold  thy  son.  (John  xix.  26.) 
From  that  time  Mary  began  to  perform  this  good 
office  of  a  mother  for  us. 

Example. 

Once  as  St.  Matilda  meditated  on  the  words  the 
dying-  Saviour  addressed  to  his  Mother,  “Woman, 
behold  thy  son,”  she  was  moved  to  ask  the  Saviour 
that  he  might  vouchsafe  to  her  the  same  favor  which 
he  did  to  St.  John  and  say  to  his  blessed  Mother 
of  her,  “  Woman,  behold  thy  daughter.”  Her  desire 
was  rewarded.  She  heard  how  the  Saviour  recom¬ 
mended  her  to  the  Blessed  Virgin,  in  view  of  the 
blood  he  had  shed  for  her,  the  death  which  he  had 
suffered  for  her,  and  because  she  was  his  spouse 
by  her  vow  of  chastity.  St.  Matilda,  overjoyed  by 
this  grace,  asked  that  the  Lord  might  grant  the  same 
favor  to  all  who  ask  it  of  him.  And  the  Lord  re¬ 
vealed  to  her  that  he  would  deny  it  to  none  who 
fervently  ask  and  desire  it.  Let  us  therefore  pray 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors.  297 

humbly  and  fervently  to  Jesus  to  grant  us  the  grace 
to  be  worthy  children  of  such  a  Mother. 

Prayer. 

Ah,  Mother,  the  most  sorrowful  of  all  mothers,  thy 
Son  is,  then,  dead;  that  Son  so  amiable,  and  who 
loved  thee  so  much!  Weep,  then,  for  thou  hast 
reason  to  weep.  Disdain  not,  in  the  mean  time, 
O  my  Mother,  to  keep  me  near  thee,  to  weep  with 
thee,  since  I  have  so  much  reason  to  weep  for  the 
crimes  by  which  I  have  offended  him.  Ah,  Mother 
of  mercy,  I  hope,  first,  through  the  death  of  my 
Redeemer,  and  then  through  thy  sorrows,  to  obtain 
pardon  and  eternal  salvation.  Amen. 


VI. 

The  Piercing  of  the  Side  of  Jesus,  and  His  Descent 

from  the  Cross. 

Now  we  are  to  consider  the  sixth  dolor  which 
afflicted  this  poor  Mother.  Attend  and  weep. 
Hitherto  the  dolors  of  Mary  tortured  her  one  by 
one;  on  this  day  they  are  all,  as  it  were,  united 
to  assail  her.  That  the  joy  of  the  following 
Paschal  Sabbath  might  not  be  disturbed,  the 
Jews  desired  that  the  body  of  Jesus  should  be 
taken  down  from  the  cross;  but  as  this  could  not 
be  done  unless  the  criminals  were  dead,  men  came 
with  iron  bars  to  break  Our  Lord’s  legs,  as  they 
had  already  done  those  of  the  two  thieves  who 
were  crucified  with  him.  Mary  was  still  weeping 


:298 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


over  the  death  of  her  Son,  when  she  saw  these 
armed  men  advancing  towards  her  Jesus.  She 
implored  them,  writes  St.  Bonaventure,  “  not  to 
break  his  legs.”  But  while  she  thus  spoke,  0 
God!  she  saw  a  soldier  brandish  a  lance  and 
pierce  the  side  of  Jesus.  There  came  out  blood 
and  water;  for  only  those  few  drops  of  blood  re¬ 
mained,  and  even  those  Our  Saviour  was  pleased 
to  shed  that  we  might  understand  that  he  had 
no  more  blood  to  give  us. 

The  afflicted  Mother,  fearing  that  other  inju¬ 
ries  might  still  be  inflicted  on  her  Son,  entreated 
Joseph  of  Arimathea  to  obtain  the  body  of  her 
Jesus  from  Pilate,  that  at  least  in  death  she 
might  guard  and  protect  it  from  further  outrage. 
Jesus  then  was  taken  down  from  the  cross. 
“  Oh,  how  many  swords,”  says  St.  Bonaventure, 
“  pierced  the  poor  Mother’s  soul  ”  when  she  re¬ 
ceived  the  body  of  her  Son  from  the  cross!  Let 
us  only  consider  the  anguish  it  would  cause  any 
mother  to  receive  into  her  arms  the  body  of  her 
lifeless  son.  Bernardine  de  Bustis  describes  the 
afflicted  Mother  as  standing  and  extending  her 
arms  to  meet  her  dear  Son;  she  embraced  him 
and  then  sat  at  the  foot  of  the  cross.  His  mouth 
was  open,  his  eyes  were  dim;  she  then  examined 
his  mangled  flesh  and  uncovered  bones;  she  took 
off  the  crown  and  saw  the  sad  injuries  which  the 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors. 


299 


thorns  had  inflicted  on  that  sacred  head;  she  saw 
the  holes  in  his  hands  and  feet. 

But  what  would  she  now  say  were  she  still 
susceptible  of  suffering?  What  would  be  her 
grief  to  see  that  men,  notwithstanding  that  her 
Son  has  died  for  them,  still  continue  to  torment 
and  crucify  him  by  their  sins!  Let  us,  at  least, 
cease  to  torment  this  afflicted  Mother;  and  if  we 
have  hitherto  grieved  her  by  our  sins,  let  us  now 
-  do  all  that  she  desires.  She  says,  Return ,  ye 
transgressors,  to  the  heart.  (Is.  xlvi.  8.)  Sinners, 
return  to  the  wounded  heart  of  my  Jesus;  return 
as  penitents,  and  he  will  welcome  you.  “  0 
world,”  continues  Mary,  behold,  then,  thy  tune  is 
the  tune  of  lovers.  (Ezech.  xvi.  8.)  “  Now  that 

my  Son  has  died  to  save  thee,  it  is  no  longer  for 
thee  a  time  of  fear,  but  one  of  love — a  time  to 
love  him,  who  to  show  thee  the  love  he  bore  thee 
was  pleased  to  suffer  so  much.”  And  if  you  de¬ 
sire,  0  children  of  Mary,  to  find  a  place  in  the 
heart  of  Jesus,  without  fear  of  being  rejected, 
“  go,”  says  Ubertino  da  Casale,  “  go  with  Mary; 
for  she  will  obtain  the  grace  for  you.” 

Example. 

The  following  happening  is  related  in  the  life  of 
St.  Alphonsus  Liguori,  and  its  truth  is  attested  by 
the  saint  himself  with  a  solemn  oath: 

In  the  year  1731  the  Italian  province  of  Apulia 
was  devastated  by  a  terrible  earthquake.  In  the 


300 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


capital,  Foggia,  nearly  everything  was  wrecked. 
Among  other  things  the  Collegiate  Church  was 
in  ruins.  This  church  had  had  in  its  possession  a 
most  ancient  miraculous  picture  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin.  It  was  so  old  that  the  lines  and  colors  were 
almost  faded  from  view.  Nevertheless  it  was 
rescued  from  the  debris  and  carried  to  the  church 
of  the  Capuchins,  where  the  faithful  took  refuge, 
seeking  the  protection  of  Mary.  One  day  the  faded 
picture  suddenly  glowed  with  the  color  and  freshness 
of  youth  and  the  countenance  looked  benignly  down 
upon  the  assembled  people.  This  miracle  was  re¬ 
peated  on  several  different  days. 

At  the  same  time  St.  Alphonsus  was  sent  for  by 
the  Bishop  of  Foggia  to  preach  a  novena  to  the 
Blessed  Virgin.  One  evening  St.  Alphonsus,  filled 
with  the  pious  desire  to  behold  more  closely  a  picture 
of  which  so  much  that  was  wonderful  was  related, 
mounted  the  steps  of  the  altar  above  which  it  was 
hung.  Suddenly  he  fell  into  an  ecstasy  and  re¬ 
mained  in  that  state  for  an  hour.  When  he  came 
back  to  ordinary  consciousness,  he  began  to  sing 
the  hymn  “  Ave  maris  Stella,”  and  the  few  people 
remaining  in  the  church  joined  with  him. 

On  the  following  day  the  saint  related  what  he  had 
seen,  and  in  memory  of  his  vision  he  had  a  picture 
painted  representing  the  Blessed  Virgin  as  she  ap¬ 
peared  to  him.  This  picture  is  still  to  be  seen.  And 
that  no  one  might  have  a  doubt  of  the  vision  of  the 
saint,  it  pleased  God  to  attest  it  by  another  miracle. 
When,  after  several  days,  Alphonsus  was  preaching 
eloquently  of  devotion  to  Mary  and  asking  his 
hearers  to  put  their  trust  in  her  help,  the  face  of  the 
painting,  which  was  ordinarily  veiled,  was  suddenly 
uncovered  and  showed  itself  with  the  features  and 
bloom  of  a  maiden  of  fourteen.  A  bright  ray  of 
light  fell  from  it  upon  the  head  of  the  pious 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors. 


301 


preacher.  At  once  the  cry,  “A  miracle !  a  miracle !  ” 
arose.  The  people  wept  with  emotion  and  the  hearts 
of  many  were  moved  to  penance  and  great  sinners 
gave  public  and  unusual  evidences  of  conversion. 

Prayer. 

0  afflicted  Virgin!  0  soul  great  in  virtue  but 
great  also  in  sorrow,  for  the  one  and  the  other  took 
their  rise  in  that  immense  love  with  which  thy  heart 
was  inflamed  towards  God,  for  thou  couldst  love  him 
alone ;  ah.  Mother,  pity  me,  for  instead  of  loving 
God  I  have  greatly  offended  him.  Thy  sorrows  en¬ 
courage  me  to  hope  for  pardon.  But  this  is  not 
enough ;  I  wish  to  love  my  Lord ;  and  who  can  better 
obtain  me  this  love  than  thou,  who  art  the  Mother 
of  fair  love?  Ah,  Mary,  thou  comfortest  all;  con¬ 
sole  me  also.  Amen. 


VII. 

The  Burial  of  Jesus. 

Behold  the  last  sword  of  Mary’s  sorrow^  which 
we  have  now  to  consider;  for  after  witnessing  the 
death  of  her  Son  on  the  cross,  and  embracing  for 
a  last  time  his  lifeless  body,  this  Blessed  Mother 
had  to  leave  him  in  the  sepulchre,  never  more  to 
enjoy  his  beloved  presence  on  earth. 

That  we  may  better  understand  this  last  dolor, 
we  will  return  to  Calvary  and  consider  the 
afflicted  Mother,  who  still  holds  the  lifeless  body 
of  her  Son  clasped  in  her  arms.  The  holy  dis¬ 
ciples,  fearful  that  the  poor  Mother  might  die  of 


302 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


grief,  approached  her  to  take  the  body  of  her  Son 
from  her  arms  to  bear  it  away  for  burial.  Hav¬ 
ing  embalmed  it,  they  wrapped  it  in  a  linen  cloth 
which  was  already  prepared.  On  this  cloth, 
which  is  still  preserved  at  Turin,  Our  Lord  was 
pleased  to  leave  to  the  world  an  impression  of  his 
sacred  body. 

The  disciples  then  bore  him  to  the  tomb.  To 
do  this,  they  first  of  all  raised  the  sacred  body  on 
their  shoulders,  and  then  the  mournful  train  set 
forth;  choirs  of  angels  from  heaven  accompanied 
it;  the  holy  women  followed,  and  with  them  the 
afflicted  Mother  also  followed  her  Son  to  the 
place  of  burial.  When  they  had  reached  the  ap¬ 
pointed  place,  0  how  willingly  would  Mary  have 
there  buried  herself  alive  with  her  Son  had  such 
been  his  will!  Finally,  the  disciples  raised  the 
stone  and  closed  up  the  holy  sepulchre,  and  in  it 
the  body  of  Jesus,  that  great  treasure — a  treasure 
so  great  that  neither  earth  nor  heaven  had  a 
greater.  Then  bidding  her  last  farewell  to  her 
beloved  Jesus  and  to  the  sepulchre,  Mary  left  it 
and  returned  to  her  own  house.  “  This  Mother,” 
says  St.  Bernard,  “  went  away  so  afflicted  and 
sad  that  she  moved  many  to  tears  in  spite  of 
themselves;  and  wherever  she  passed,  all  who  met 
her  wept,”  and  could  not  restrain  their  tears. 
And  he  adds  that  the  holy  disciples  and  women 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors.  303 

who  accompanied  her  “  mourned  even  more  for 
her  than  for  their  Lord.” 

When  she  arrived  at  her  house,  the  afflicted 
Mother  cast  her  eyes  around  and  no  longer  saw 
her  Jesus;  but,  instead  of  the  sweet  presence  of 
her  dear  Son,  the  remembrance  of  his  beautiful 
life  and  cruel  death  presented  itself  before  her 
eyes.  She  remembered  how  she  had  pressed  that 
Son  to  her  bosom  in  the  crib  of  Bethlehem;  the 
conversations  she  had  held  with  him  during  the 
many  years  they  had  dwelt  in  the  house  of  Naza¬ 
reth;  she  remembered  their  mutual  affection, 
their  loving  looks,  the  words  of  eternal  life  which 
fell  from  those  divine  lips;  and  then  the  sad  scene 
which  she  had  that  day  witnessed  again  presented 
itself  before  her.  The  nails,  the  thorns,  the 
lacerated  flesh  of  her  Son,  those  deep  wounds, 
those  uncovered  bones,  that  open  mouth,  those 
dimmed  eyes,  all  presented  themselves  before  her. 
Ah,  what  a  night  of  sorrow  was  that  night  for 
Mary!  Thus  does  St.  Bernard  speak  in  her 
name:  “  0  truly  begotten  of  God,  Thou  wast  to¬ 
me  a  father,  a  son,  a  spouse:  Thou  wast  my  very 
soul!  Now  I  am  deprived  of  my  father,  widowed 
of  mv  spouse,  a  desolate,  childless  Mother;  hav¬ 
ing  lost  my  only  Son,  I  have  lost  all.” 

And  thou,  my  soul,  weepest  not!  Ah,  turn  to- 
Mary,  and  address  her  with  St.  Bonaventure,  say- 


304 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


ing:  “  0  my  own  sweet  Lady,  let  me  weep;  thou 
art  innocent,  I  am  guilty.”  Entreat  her  at  least 
to  let  thee  weep  with  her:  “  Grant  that  wfith  thee 
I  may  weep.”  She  weeps  for  love;  do  thou  weep 
through  sorrow  for  thy  sins. 

Example. 

A  few  days  before  the  Feast  of  the  Annunciation 
a  certain  priest  at  Strasbourg  was  asked  to  visit  a 
gentleman  who  was  mortally  ill.  The  priest  made  a 
visit,  but  noticed  at  once  during  his  conversation 
that  the  dying  man  was  one  who  had  long  since  lost 
his  faith  and  filled  his  mind  with  the  incongruities 
of  what  he  considered  a  more  modern  philosophy. 
After  the  priest  had  exhausted  all  his  resources  and 
had  made  no  impression  upon  the  closed  heart  of  the 
man,  he  said  to  him :  “  My  dear  friend,  it  fills  me 
with  fear  and  sorrow  to  see  you  approaching 
eternity  without  being  reconciled  to  Our  Lord.  You 
have  refused  everything  I  have  asked  of  you  so  far; 
do  not  refuse  me  this  last  request.  Say  a  little 
prayer  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  every  day.  If  you  have 
no  confidence  in  prayer  yourself,  say  it  in  my  name, 
for  I  have  such  confidence  in  her  intercession  that 
I  believe  she  will  even  consider  an  appeal  to  her 
made  in  this  way.  Promise  me  that  you  will  do  this 
and  I  feel  assured  that  by  the  time  of  her  next  feast 
you  will  have  made  your  peace  with  God.”  These 
simple  words  were  effective.  The  man  promised  to 
say  St.  Bernard’s  great  prayer,  the  Memorare,  every 
day.  On  the  day  of  the  Annunciation  the  priest 
made  the  third  visit.  But  the  patient  was  a  changed 
man  by  this  time.  He  confessed  his  sins  with  all 
the  evidences  of  contrition,  received  Communion  and 
died  an  edifying  death. 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors. 


305 


f 

Prayer. 

My  afflicted  Mother,  I  will  not  leave  thee  alone  to 
weep ;  no,  I  will  accompany  thee  with  my  tears. 
This  grace  I  now  ask  of  thee :  obtain  that  I  may  al¬ 
ways  bear  in  mind  and  always  have  a  tender  devo¬ 
tion  towards  the  Passion  of  Jesus  and  thy  sorrows, 
that  the  remainder  of  my  days  may  thus  be  spent 
in  weeping  over  thy  sufferings,  my  own  sweet 
Mother,  and  those  of  my  Redeemer.  These  sorrows, 
I  trust,  will  give  me  the  confidence  and  strength  that 
I  shall  require  at  the  hour  of  death,  that  I  may  not 
despair  at  the  sight  of  the  many  sins  by  which  I 
have  offended  my  Lord.  They  must  obtain  me  par¬ 
don,  perseverance,  and  heaven,  where  I  hope  to  re¬ 
joice  with  thee,  and  to  sing  the  infinite  mercies  of 
my  God  for  all  eternity.  Thus  do  I  hope ;  thus  may 
it  be.  Amen.  Amen. 

LITTLE  ROSARY  IN  HONOR  OF  THE 
SEVEN  DOLORS  OF  MARY. 


EXPLANATION. 

This  chaplet  is  divided  into  seven  parts,  each  be¬ 
ing  composed  of  one  “  Our  Father  ”  and  seven  “  Hail 
Marys,”  in  honor  of  the  seven  principal  sorrows  of 
Mary,  the  Mother  of  God.  To  gain  the  indulgences 
that  are  attached  to  it,  and  that  have  been  largely 
increased  by  Clement  XII.,  the  rosary  should  have 
been  duly  blessed  for  this  purpose,  and  whilst 
reciting  it  one  must  reflect  on  the  sorrows  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin,  according  to  one’s  capacity,  and  add 
at  the  end  the  “  Hail  Mary  ”  three  times  in  honor  of 
the  tears  that  she  shed  during  these  sorrows. 

Benedict  XIII.  granted  two  hundred  days’  in¬ 
dulgence  for  every  “  Our  Father”  and  every  “  Hail 


306 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Mary/’  to  those  who  recite  the  little  Rosary  of  the 
Seven  Dolors  in  the  churches  of  the  Servites  of 
Mary.  He  also  granted  the  same  favor  to  all  who 
recite  it  in  any  place  whatever  on  Fridays  or  any 
day  during  Lent.  To  those  who  recite  it  on  other 
days  he  granted  one  hundred  days  for  every  “  Our 
Father”  and  “  Hail  Mary.”  To  those  who  recite 
it  entire,  seven  years  and  seven  quarantines.  To 
those  who  recite  it  for  a  month  a  plenary  indulgence 
applicable  to  the  souls  in  purgatory. 

Incline  unto  mine  aid,  O  God !  O  Lord !  make 
haste  to  help  me.  Glory  be  to  the  Father,  and  to 
the  Son,  and  to  the  Holy  Ghost.  As  it  was  in  the 
beginning,  is  now  and  ever  shall  be,  world  without 
end.  Amen. 

My  Mother !  share  thy  grief  with  me, 

And  let  me  bear  thee  company 
To  mourn  thy  Jesus’  death  with  thee. 


I. 

I  pity  thee,  0  afflicted  Mother,  on  account  of 
the  first  sword  of  sorrow  that  pierced  thee,  when 
in  the  Temple  all  the  outrages  which  men  would 
inflict  on  thy  beloved  Jesus  were  presented  before 
thee  by  St.  Simeon.  By  that  bitter  knowledge, 
then,  which  for  so  many  years  afflicted  thy  heart, 
I  beseech  thee,  my  Queen,  to  obtain  me  the  grace 
that  during  my  life  and  at  my  death  I  may  ever 
keep  the  Passion  of  Jesus  and  thy  sorrows  im¬ 
pressed  on  my  heart. 

Our  Father  once,  Hail  Mary  seven  times,  and 
the  strophe  are  repeated  after  each  dolor. 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors. 


307 


II. 

I  pity  thee,  my  afflicted  Mother,  for  the  second 
sword  which  pierced  thee,  when,  soon  after  his 
birth,  thou  didst  behold  thy  innocent  Son  threat¬ 
ened  with  death  by  those  very  men  for  whose  sal¬ 
vation  he  had  come  into  the  world;  so  that  in  the 
darkness  of  night  thou  wast  obliged  to  fly  secretly 
with  him  into  Egypt.  I  beseech  thee,  my  beloved 
Lady,  to  obtain  for  me  grace  to  suffer  with 
patience  until  death,  in  thy  company,  the  trials  of 
this  miserable  life  that  I  may  thus  in  the  next 
escape  the  eternal  punishments  of  hell,  which  I 
have  deserved. 

Our  Father,  etc. 

hi. 

I  pity  thee,  my  sorrowful  Mother,  on  account  of 
the  third  sword  which  pierced  thee  in  the  loss  of 
thy  dear  Son  Jesus,  who  remained  absent  from 
thee  in  Jerusalem  for  three  days.  By  the  sighs, 
then,  of  those  three  days,  for  thee  too  long  and 
hitter,  I  beseech  thee  to  obtain  me  the  grace  that 
I  may  never  lose  my  God;  that  so,  always  clinging 
to  him,  I  may  leave  the  world  united  to  him. 

Our  Father,  etc. 

IV. 

I  pity  thee,  my  sorrowful  Mother,  for  the  fourth 
sword  which  pierced  thee,  in  seeing  thy  Son  con- 


308 


Practices  of  Devotion . 


demned  to  death,  bound  with  cords  and  chains, 
covered  with  blood  and  wounds,  crowned  with 
a  wreath  of  thorns,  falling  under  the  weight  of  a 
heavy  cross  which  he  carried  on  his  wounded 
shoulders,  going  as  an  innocent  Lamb  to  die  for 
love  of  us.  By  this  great  sorrow,  then,  I  beseech 
thee  to  obtain  me  the  grace  to  live  in  all  things 
resigned  to  the  will  of  my  God,  and  to  carry  my 
cross  cheerfully  in  company  with  Jesus,  until  my 
last  breath. 

Our  Father,  etc. 


Y. 

I  pity  thee,  my  afflicted  Mother,  for  the  fifth 
sword  which  pierced  thee,  when  on  Mount  Calvary 
thou  didst  behold  thy  beloved  Son  Jesus  slowly 
dying  before  thy  eyes,  amid  so  many  torments 
and  insults,  on  that  hard  bed  of  the  cross,  where 
thou  couldst  not  administer  him  even  the  least 
of  those  comforts  that  are  granted  to  the  greatest 
criminals  at  the  hour  of  death.  I  beseech  thee, 
by  the  agony  which  thou,  my  most  loving  Mother, 
didst  endure  together  with  thy  dying  Son,  and 
by  the  sadness  which  thou  didst  feel,  when,  for 
the  last  time,  he  spoke  to  thee  from  the  cross  and 
bade  thee  farewell,  and  left  all  of  us,  in  the  per¬ 
son  of  St.  John,  to  thee  as  thy  children;  by  that 
constancy  with  which  thou  didst  then  see  him  bow 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolors. 


309 


down  his  head  and  expire,  I  beseech  thee  to  ob¬ 
tain  me  the  grace,  from  thy  crucified  love,  to  live 
and  die  crucified  to  all  earthly  things,  that  I  may 
spend  my  life  for  God  alone,  and  thus  one  day 
enter  paradise  to  enjoy  him  face  to  face. 

Our  Father,  etc. 

YI. 

I  pity  thee,  my  afflicted  Mother,  for  the  sixth 
sword  which  pierced  thee,  when  thou  didst  see  the 
sweet  heart  of  thy  Son  pierced  through  and 
through.  By  this  cruel  sorrow,  then,  which  was 
all  thine,  I  beseech  thee  to  obtain  me  the  grace  to 
dwell  in  the  Heart  of  Jesus,  wounded  and  opened 
for  me;  in  that  Heart,  I  say,  which  is  the  beautiful 
abode  of  love,  in  which  all  souls  who  love  God  re¬ 
pose;  and  that,  living  there,  I  may  never  think  of 
or  love  anything  but  God.  Most  sacred  Virgin, 
thou  canst  obtain  this  for  me;  from  thee  do  I  hope 
for  it. 

Our  Father,  etc. 

VII. 

1  pity  thee,  my  afflicted  Mother,  for  the  seventh 
sword  which  pierced  thee  on  seeing  thy  Son  dead 
in  thy  arms,  no  longer  fair  and  beautiful,  but 
covered  with  blood,  livid  and  all  lacerated  with 
wounds,  so  that  even  his  bones  were  seen.  And 
when  he  was  borne  to  the  sepulchre,  thou  wouldst 


310 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


thyself  accompany  him,  and  place  him  with  thy 
own  hands  in  the  tomb;  and  bidding  him  the  last 
farewell,  thou  didst  leave  thy  loving  heart  buried 
with  thy  Son.  By  this  martyrdom  of  thy  beauti¬ 
ful  soul,  do  thou  obtain  me,  0  Mother  of  fair  love, 
the  forgiveness  of  the  offences  which  I  have  com¬ 
mitted  against  my  beloved  God,  and  of  which  I 
repent  with  my  whole  heart,  that  I  may  one  day, 
after  this  miserable  exile,  go  to  paradise  to  sing 
the  praises  of  Jesus  and  of  thee  for  all  eternity. 
Amen. 

Our  Father,  etc. 

Pray  for  us,  O  most  sorrowful  Virgin,  that  we 
may  be  made  worthy  of  the  promises  of  Christ. 

Let  us  Pray. 

O  God,  at  whose .  Passion,  according  to  the 
prophecy  of  Simeon,  a  sword  of  sorrow  did  pierce 
through  the  most  sweet  soul  of  the  glorious  Virgin 
and  Mother  Mary,  grant  that  we,  who  commemorate 
and  reverence  her  dolors,  may  experience  the  blessed 
effect  of  Thy  Passion,  who  livest  and  reignest  world 
without  end.  Amen. 

STABAT  MATER. 

At  the  cross  her  station  keeping, 

Stood  the  mournful  Mother  weeping, 

Close  to  Jesus  to  the  last: 

Through  her  heart  his  sorrow  sharing, 

All  his  hitter  anguish  bearing, 

Lo!  the  piercing  sword  had  passed. 


The  Feast  of  the  Seven  Dolor's. 

Oh,  how  sad,  and  sore  distressed, 

Now  was  she,  that  Mother  Blessed 
Of  the  sole-begotten  One; 
Woe-begone,  with  heart's  prostration, 
Mother  meek,  the  bitter  Passion 
Saw  she  of  her  glorious  Son. 

Who  could  mark,  from  tears  refraining, 
Christ's  dear  Mother  uncomplaining, 
In  so  great  a  sorrow  bowed? 

Who,  unmoved,  behold  her  languish 
Underneath  his  cross  of  anguish, 

’Mid  the  fierce  unpitying  crowd? 

For  his  people’s  sins  rejected, 

She  her  Jesus,  unprotected, 

Saw  with  thorns,  with  scourges  rent; 
Saw  her  Son  from  judgment  taken, 
Her  beloved  in  death  forsaken, 

Till  his  Spirit  forth  he  sent. 

Fount  of  love  and  holy  sorrow, 

Mother!  may  my  spirit  borrow 
Somewhat  of  thy  woe  profound; 
Unto  Christ  with  pure  emotion, 

Raise  my  contrite  heart’s  devotion, — 
Love  to  read  in  every  wound. 


311 


312 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Those  five  wounds  on  Jesus  smitten, 
Mother!  in  my  heart  be  written, 

Deep  as  in  thine  own  they  be: 

Thou,  my  Saviour’s  cross  who  bearest. 
Thou,  thy  Son’s  rebuke  who  sharest, 
Let  me  share  them  both  with  thee! 

In  the  Passion  of  my  Maker 
Be  my  sinful  soul  partaker, 

Weep  till  death,  and  weep  with  thee 
Mine  with  thee  be  that  sad  station, 
There  to  watch  the  great  salvation 
Wrought  upon  the  atoning  Tree. 

Virgin,  thou  of  virgins  fairest. 

May  the  hitter  woe  thou  bearest 
Make  on  me  impression  deep; 

Thus  Christ’s  dying  may  I  carry, 

With  him  in  his  Passion  tarry, 

And  his  wounds  in  memory  keep. 

May  his  wounds  transfix  me  wholly. 
May  his  cross  and  life-blood  holy 
Ebriate  my  heart  and  mind: 

Thus  inflamed  with  pure  affection. 

In  the  Virgin’s  Son  protection 
May  I  at  the  judgment  find. 


The  Feast  of  the  Visitation. 


313 


When  in  death  my  limbs  are  failing 
Let  Thy  Mother’s  prayer  prevailing 
Lift  me,  Jesus,  to  Thy  throne: 

To  my  parting  soul  be  given 
Entrance  through  the  gate  of  heaven; 

There  confess  me  for  Thine  own! 

An  indulgence  of  one  hundred  days  was  granted 
by  Pope  Innocent  XI.  to  the  faithful  who  say  this 
hymn  with  devotion  in  honor  of  the  Mother  of  sor¬ 
rows.  This  indulgence  was  confirmed  by  Pope  Pius 
IX.,  by  a  rescript,  June  18,  1876. 


THE  FEAST  OF  THE  VISITATION. 

(July  2d.) 

HISTORICAL  EXPLANATION. 

The  first  trace  of  this  feast  as  one  of  the  regu¬ 
lar  feasts  of  the  Church  is  found  in  the  middle 
of  the  fourteenth  century.  It  has  been  kept  as 
a  special  feast  by  the  Franciscans  since  1263.  Its 
most  ardent  promoter  was  St.  Bonaventure,  who 
proposed  in  that  year  that  the  feast  he  solemnly 
kept  in  the  whole  Franciscan  Order,  which  propo¬ 
sition  Pope  Urban  IV.  sanctioned. 

Urban  VI.  resolved  in  the  last  year  of  his  Pon¬ 
tificate,  1389,  to  extend  the  feast  to  the  entire 
Church,  but  died  before  he  could  publish  the  bull 


314 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


announcing  it.  His  successor,  Boniface  IX.,  did 
so  in  the  next  year,  and  in  1441  the  Synod  of 
Basle  reaffirmed  the  order  of  the  Popes  and  in¬ 
sisted  on  the  celebration  of  the  feast  by  the  en¬ 
tire  Church. 

NO  VENA  FOP  THE  FEAST  OF  THE 

VISITATION. 

(Novena  begins  June  23d  and  ends  July  1st.) 

PRAYER. 

0  holy  Virgin,  spotless  mirror  of  humility, 
great  was  thy  charity  which  moved  thee  to  visit 
thy  holy  cousin  St.  Elizabeth,  and  exceeding  thy 
joy  when  that  venerable  matron,  inspired  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  exclaimed  on  seeing  thee:  “  Blessed 
art  thou  among  women,  and  blessed  is  the  fruit 
of  thy  womb.  And  whence  is  this  to  me  that  the 
Mother  of  my  Lord  should  come  to  me?”  0 
dear  Mother,  I  beseech  thee,  by  this  thy  joy,  to 
obtain  for  me  the  favors  I  petition  in  this  novena 
[ name  them ],  and  grant  that  our  hearts  may  be 
visited  by  thy  divine  Son,  so  that,  being  free  from 
all  sin,  we  may  praise  him  and  give  him  thanks 
forever.  Amen. 

Nine  Hail  Marys  or  the  Magnificat. 


The  Feast  of  the  Visitation . 


315 


MEDITATIONS  FOR  THE  FEAST. 

r. 

Mary  set  out  from  Nazareth  to  go  to  the  city  of 
Judea,  in  which  St.  Elizabeth  resided,  a  distance, 
according  to  Broccardus,  of  upwards  of  seventy 
miles,  or  at  least  seven  days’  journey.  Her  spouse, 
St.  Joseph,  alone  accompanied  her.  The  holy  and 
tender  Virgin  hastened  her  steps,  as  St.  Luke  tells 
us:  Mary,  rising  up  in  those  days,  went  into  the  hill 
country  with  haste.  Tell  us,  0  holy  Lady,  why 
didst  thou  undertake  so  long  and  arduous  a 
journey,  and  why  didst  thou  so  hasten  thy  steps? 
“  I  went,”  she  replies,  “  to  exercise  my  office  of 
charitv:  I  went  to  console  a  family.” 

Since,  then,  0  great  Mother  of  God,  thy  office  is 
to  console  and  dispense  graces  to  souls,  ah,  be 
graciously  pleased  also  to  visit  and  console  my 
soul.  Thy  visit  sanctified  the  house  of  Elizabeth: 
come,  0  Mary,  and  sanctify  me  also. 

n. 

Behold  the  Blessed  Virgin  already  arrived  at 
the  house  of  Elizabeth.  She  was  the  Mother  of 
God,  but  yet  she  was  the  first  to  salute  Elizabeth: 
And  she  entered  .  .  .  and  saluted  Elizabeth .  Eliza¬ 
beth,  enlightened  by  God,  knew  that  the  divine 
Word  had  become  man,  that  he  had  become  the 


316 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Son  of  Mary;  therefore  she  called  her  blessed 
amongst  women,  and  blessed  the  divine  fruit 
which  she  carried  in  her  womb:  Blessed  art  tliou 
among  women,  and  blessed  is  the  fruit  of  thy  womb. 
At  the  same  time,  filled  with  confusion  and  joy, 
she  exclaimed:  And  whence  is  this  to  me,  that  the 
Mother  of  my  Lord  should  come  to  me?  But  what 
does  the  humble  Mary  reply  to  these  words?  She 
says:  My  soul  doth  magnify  the  Lord;  as  if  she  had 
said,  “  Ah,  Elizabeth,  thou  dost  praise  me;  but  I 
praise  my  God,  who  hath  been  graciously  pleased 
to  exalt  me,  w'ho  am  his  poor  servant,  to  the  dig¬ 
nity  of  being  his  Mother:  ”  Lie  hath  regarded  the 
humility  of  his  handmaid. 

0  most  holy  Mary,  since  thou  dispenses!  so 
many  graces  to  those  who  ask  thee  for  them,  I 
beseech  thee  to  grant  me  thy  humility.  Thou 
esteemest  thyself  as  nothing  before  God;  but  I  am 
worse  than  nothing,  for  I  am  a  sinner.  Thou 
canst  make  me  humble;  do  so  for  the  love  of  that 
God  who  made  thee  his  Mother. 

hi. 

But  what  took  place  at  the  first  sound  of  the 
voice  of  Mary  saluting  Elizabeth?  When  Elizabeth 
heard  the  salutation  of  Alary,  the  infant  leaped  in 
her  womb,  and  Elizabeth  was  filled  with  the  Holy 
Ghost.  The  infant  John  exulted  with  joy  on  ac- 


The  Feast  of  the  Visitation. 


317 


count  of  the  divine  grace  which  was  then  con¬ 
ferred  upon  him.  Elizabeth  was  filled  with  the 
Holy  Ghost;  and  Zachary,  the  father  of  the  Bap¬ 
tist,  had  shortly  afterwards  the  consolation  of 
recovering  his  speech. 

Example. 

St.  Jane  Frances  de  Chantal,  the  foundress  of  the 
order  of  the  Visitation,  lost  her  mother  in  childhood. 
Painful  as  this  loss  was  to  her  she  yet  consoled  her¬ 
self  with  the  thought  that  Mary  is  our  Mother,  and 
thinking  thus  tried  to  deserve  her  care  and  pro¬ 
tection.  As  the  result  of  this  beneficent  protection 
she  was  removed  from  the  danger  of  worldly  and 
careless  companionship,  which  might  have  been  most 
disastrous  to  her  virtue  and  salvation. 

When  St.  Jane  married  she  tried  particularly  to 
emulate  the  household  virtues  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 
In  spite  of  her  high  social  position  she  lived  quietly 
and  devoted  herself  to  her  household,  her  children, 
and  her  charities.  Her  time  was  divided  between 
work  and  prayer.  Later  she  followed  the  same  rule 
of  life  when  she  became  a  widow. 

When  in  conjunction  with  St.  Francis  de  Sales  she 
founded  the  order  of  the  Visitation  she  communi¬ 
cated  this  spirit  of  work  and  prayer  to  her  spiritual 
daughters.  She  held  up  to  them  the  retired  life 
of  the  Virgin  Mother,  with  its  silent  and  modest 
virtues,  and  encouraged  them  to  follow  this  high 
model.  Though  she  prized  the  Rosary  and  other 
devotions  in  honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  very 
highly,  she  was  yet  wont  to  say  that  the  practice  of 
humility,  of  self-denial,  and  of  charity  towards  our 
neighbor  is  often  more  pleasing  to  the  Blessed 
Mother  than  long  verbal  prayers.  This  spirit  she 


318 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


left  as  a  precious  heritage  to  her  order,  and  thus  it 
still  works  on  bringing  blessings  wherever  it  is 
established. 

Prayer  of  St.  Jane  Frances  de  Chantal. 

Remember,  most  compassionate  Virgin,  that  no 
one  has  ever  had  recourse  to  thee  without  feeling 
the  effects  of  thy  goodness.  In  this  confidence,  Vir¬ 
gin  of  virgins,  I  present  myself  before  thee  with  a 
humble  desire  that  thou  wilt  deign  to  regard  my 
miseries.  Employ  for  me  thy  maternal  authority 
near  thy  divine  Son;  supplicate  him  to  grant  me, 
not  deliverance  from  my  evils,  unless  it  be  his  holy 
will,  but  the  grace  to  live  in  his  holy  love,  in  his 
good  and  eternal  pleasure,  to  which  I  sacrifice  myself 
without  reserve,  in  union  with  the  sacrifice  which 
thou  didst  make  of  thyself  on  the  day  of  thy  im¬ 
maculate  conception,  for  which  I  wish  to  bless  for¬ 
ever  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost.  Amen. 


THE  FEAST  OF  OUE  LADY  OF  MOUNT 
CARMEL  AND  THE  SCAPULAR. 

(Feast  July  16th.) 

HISTORICAL  EXPLANATION. 

As  men  esteem  it  an  honor  to  have  persons 
who  wear  their  livery,  so  also  is  our  blessed  Lady 
pleased  that  her  clients  should  wear  her  scapular, 
as  a  mark  that  they  have  dedicated  themselves 
to  her  service,  and  that  they  are  members  of  the 
household  of  the  Mother  of  God. 


Our  Lady  of  Mount  Carmel  and  the  Scapular.  319 

Fathers  Crasset  and  Lezzana,  speaking  of  the 
scapular  of  Mount  Carmel,  relate  that  on-  July 
16,  1251,  the  Blessed  Virgin  appeared  to  St. 
Simon  Stock,  general  of  the  Carmelites  at  Cam¬ 
bridge,  and  giving  him  the  scapular,  said  that  all 
who  should  wear  it  would  be  saved  from  eternal 
damnation.  She  said,  “  Receive,  my  beloved  son, 
this  scapular  of  thy  order,  the  badge  of  my  con¬ 
fraternity,  a  privilege  granted  to  thee  and  to  all 
Carmelites:  whoever  dies  clothed  with  it  will  not 
suffer  eternal  flames.” 

On  Mount  Carmel  the  prophet  Elias,  and 
after  him  others,  served  the  Lord  day  and  night 
in  holy  meditations  and  prayers.  It  was  there¬ 
fore  after  this  mount  that  the  order  of  the  Car¬ 
melites  received  its  name. 

Moreover,  Father  Crasset  relates  that  Mary 
appeared  to  Pope  John  XXII.  and  commanded 
him  to  make  it  known  that  all  those  who  should 
wear  this  scapular  would  be  delivered  from  pur¬ 
gatory  on  the  Saturday  after  their  death;  and  this 
he  did  by  a  bull,  which  was  afterwards  confirmed 
by  Alexander  V.,  Clement  VII.,  and  other 
Pontiffs.  Paul  V.  gives  us  to  understand  the 
same  thing,  and  seems  to  explain  the  bulls  of  his 
predecessors,  and  prescribes  in  his  the  conditions 
on  which  the  indulgences  may  be  gained.  These 
conditions  are  that  each  one  should  observe  the 


320 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


chastity  required  in  his  state  of  life,  and  the  reci¬ 
tation  of  the  little  office  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 
Those  who  cannot  do  so  must  be  exact  in  keeping 
the  fast  days  prescribed  by  the  Church,  and  ab¬ 
stain  from  meat  on  Wednesdays  and  Saturdays. 
Those,  however,  who  cannot  fast  should  say  seven 
“  Our  Fathers  ”  and  seven  “  Hail  Marys  ”  several 
times  a  week,  or  do  some  other  pious  work  under 
the  direction  of  a  priest  who  has  the  special 
power  to  change  these  conditions  of  penance  with 
regard  to  the  scapular  of  Mount  Carmel. 

In  order  to  gain  the  plenary  indulgences,  be¬ 
sides  confession  and  Communion,  the  members 
ought  to  visit  a  church  or  chapel  of  Carmelite 
friars  or  sisters  and  there  pray  according  to 
the  intention  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff.  Those 
who  are  unable  to  comply  with  this  condition 
should  have  it  commuted  into  some  other  pious 
work  by  a  priest  who  has  the  faculty  for  that 
purpose. 

All  who  wear  this  scapular  enjoy  a  twofold 
privilege  through  the  merits  of  the  Blessed  Vir¬ 
gin,  who  is  their  protectress  and  advocate.  One 
is  of  a  spiritual  nature,  and  the  other  is  temporal. 
The  first  is  founded  on  the  words  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin  to  St.  Simon  Stock:  “Any  person  who 
wears  this,  if  he  dies  a  pious  death,  will  not  suffer 
in  eternal  fire.  This  is  the  sign  of  his  salvation.” 


Our  Lady  of  Mount  Carmel  and  the  Scapular.  321 

The  Blessed  Virgin  will  never  allow,  for  so  great 
is  the  power  of  her  intercession,  her  true  disci¬ 
ples  to  undergo  eternal  condemnation;  she  will 
protect  them  efficaciously,  especially  at  the  hour 
of  death,  obtaining  for  them  divine  grace  that 
they  may  escape  the  machinations  of  the  wicked 
one.  The  scapular  has  been  found  to  be  a  pro¬ 
tection  in  the  trials  of  this  life.  In  sickness  and 
in  the  hour  of  death  many  have  found  that  they 
have  derived  help  in  invoking  the  assistance  of 
the  most  glorious  Virgin  of  Mount  Carmel. 

When  any  person  receives  the  scapular  for  the 
first  time,  it  should  be  blessed  by  a  priest  who 
has  the  proper  facult}^  for  doing  so.  It  must  be 
worn  both  day  and  night,  but  may  be  taken  off 
for  any  necessary  purpose.  It  will  not  be  suffi¬ 
cient  to  carry  it  about  in  the  pocket  or  leave  it 
in  any  special  place,  as  may  be  done  with  beads 
or  crucifixes.  The  word  “  scapular 77  implies  a 
habit  which  is  worn  over  the  shoulder,  and  as  the 
scapular  is  called  “  the  little  habit/7  it  must  be 
worn  in  the  same  manner. 

A  plenary  indulgence  is  granted  to  the  mem¬ 
bers  of  this  association: 

1.  On  the  day  of  their  reception. 

2.  On  the  feasts  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  of 
Mount  Carmel,  the  16th  of  July,  or  on  the  fol¬ 
lowing  Sunday. 


322 


Practices  of  Devotion , 


3.  On  the  Feasts  of  the  Purification,  Annuncia¬ 
tion,  ATsitation,  Assumption,  Nativity,  Presenta¬ 
tion,  and  Immaculate  Conception  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin  Mary. 

4.  On  the  feasts  of  St.  Joseph,  St.  Teresa,  St. 
Ann,  St.  Andrew  Corsini,  St.  Mary  Magdalen  of 
Pazzi,  St.  Angelus,  5th  of  May,  St.  Albert,  7th 
of  August. 

5.  At  the  hour  of  death,  provided  the  sick  per¬ 
son,  having  the  scapular  on,  with  sincere  contri¬ 
tion,  if  confession  be  impossible,  devoutly  pro¬ 
nounce  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus. 

Besides  the  scapular  of  Our  Lady  of  Mount 
Carmel,  also  called  the  brown  scapular,  there  are 
four  other  scapulars. 

The  black  scapular  is  worn  out  of  devotion  to 
the  holy  cross  of  Our  Lord.  This  scapular  is 
recommended  by  the  Passionists. 

The  blue  scapular  is  worn  out  of  devotion  to  the 
Immaculate  Conception.  Pope  Pius  IX.  favored 
it  with  many  indulgences  after  the  definition  of 
the  doctrine  of  the  Immaculate  Conception. 

The  white  is  worn  out  of  devotion  to  the 
Blessed  A7irgin  of  Reward  and  out  of  devotion  to 
the  Blessed  Trinity. 

The  red  in  honor  of  the  Passion  of  Our  Lord, 
of  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus,  and  the  compas¬ 
sionate  heart  of  Alary. 


Our  Lady  of  Mount  Carmel  and  the  Scapular.  323 

Until  recently  these  five  scapulars  were  usually 
sewn  together  and  worn  as  one.  But  by  a  decree 
of  his  Holiness  Leo  XIII.,  dated  April  27,  1893, 
the  scapular  of  Mount  Carmel  can  no  longer  be 
blessed  with  the  others,  but  must  be  worn  and 
blessed  separately. 

Example. 

St.  Teresa  well  knew  that  she  had  received  all 
her  graces,  and  above  all,  the  gift  of  love,  which 
made  her  beautiful  soul  so  rich,  through  the  hands 
of  this  most  sweet  Mother.  And  so,  in  order  to 
testify  her  thankfulness  to  her  most  holy  Mother, 
she  did  not  know  what  more  to  do  to  love  and  honor 
her.  From  her  early  childhood,  while  still  an  in¬ 
mate  of  her  parental  home,  she  would  go  in  quest 
of  secluded  spots  where  she  might  honor  Mary  by 
saying  the  Kosary  and  other  pious  prayers.  On  the 
death  of  her  mother  she  hastened  to  present  her¬ 
self  before  her  Queen,  and,  with  confidence  and 
love,  proceeded  to  offer  herself  up  to  be  a  daughter 
to  her,  protesting  that  from  that  moment  she  should 
be  her  only  and  her  dearest  Mother.  In  truth,  in 
all  her  tribulations  and  in  all  her  needs,  the  saint 
ever  had  recourse  to  Mary,  as  to  her  most  loving 
Mother.  It  was  with  the  special  object  of  seeing  her 
honored  everywhere  that  she  undertook  the  work 
of  reforming  the  Carmelite  order,  whose  glory  it 
is  to  fight  under  the  banner  and  the  especial  pro¬ 
tection  of  the  Queen  of  heaven. 

Prayer  to  Obtain  a  Good  Death. 

0  Mary,  sweet  refuge  of  poor  sinners  and  my 
tender  Mother !  when  my  soul  must  depart  from  this 
world,  by  the  grief  that  thou  didst  experience  in 


324 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


being  present  at  the  death  of  thy  divine  Son  on  the 
cross,  I  beseech  thee  to  assist  me  with  thy  mercy. 
Banish  from  me  the  infernal  enemies,  and  come 
then  to  take  my  soul  and  to  present  it  to  the  Eternal 
Judge.  My  Queen,  do  not  abandon  me;  it  is  thou 
who  after  Jesus  must  be  my  help  at  that  dreadful 
moment.  Ask  thy  Son  that  in  his  goodness  he  may 
grant  me  the  grace  to  die  while  embracing  thy  feet, 
and  to  breathe  forth  my  soul  into  his  sacred  wounds 
while  saying :  J esus  and  Mary,  I  give  you  my  heart 
and  my  soul. 

MO  YEN  A  TO  OUR  LADY  OF  MOUNT 

CARMEL. 

A  DEVOTION  FOR  THOSE  WHO  WEAR  THE 
BROWN  SCAPULAR. 

(Novena  begins  July  7th  and  ends  July  15th.) 

First  Day. 

PREPARATORY  PRAYER. 

0  glorious  Queen  of  angels!  most  pure  and  ever- 
blessed  Virgin  Mary  of  Mount  Carmel!  powerful 
advocate  of  all  those  who  wear  thy  holy  scapular! 
faithful  protectress  of  all  the  servants  of  thy  Son 
Jesus  Christ!  I,  an  unworthy  sinner,  do  this  day, 
in  the  presence  of  thy  beloved  Son,  my  Saviour, 
choose  thee  for  my  patroness,  that  through  thy 
intercession  I  may  receive  from  him  whatsoever 
grace  may  be  necessary  and  profitable  for  me  now 
and  at  the  hour  of  my  death.  Amen. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  three  times. 


Our  Lady  of  Mount  Carmel  and  the  Scapular.  325 


PRAY  EH. 

0  most  glorious  and  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  of 
Mount  Carmel!  I,  an  unworthy  wearer  of  thy 
holy  scapular,  confident,  however,  that  the 
Church  does  not  call  thee  in  vain  the  “  Refuge 
of  sinners,”  do  beseech  thee  to  make  me  sensible 
of  the  favors  thou  hast  conferred  upon  me  by 
promoting  the  welfare  of  thy  holy  order,  that, 
being  truly  contrite  for  past  offences,  I  may,  by 
thy  aid  and  assistance,  break  the  chains  of  my 
slavery  and  live  henceforward  in  the  happy  lib¬ 
erty  of  the  children  of  God.  Through  Our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  who  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy 
Ghost  liveth  and  reigneth,  one  God,  world  with¬ 
out  end.  Amen. 

Litany  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 

Second  Day. 

Preparatory  Prayer,  Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  as 
on  page  32J+. 

PRAYER. 

0  almighty  and  eternal  God,  vouchsafe  to  im¬ 
part  to  us,  Thy  unworthy  servants,  a  small  portion 
of  that  heavenly  grace  with  which  Thou  hast 
been  pleased  to  sanctify  Thy  servant  Mary;  and 
grant  that,  through  her  intercession  and  protec¬ 
tion,  we  may  be  shielded  against  all  temptations, 
and  be  secure  from  all  our  enemies.  Through 


326 


Practices  of  Devotion . 


Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Thy  Son,  who  liveth  and 
reigneth  with  Thee  in  the  unity  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  one  God,  world  without  end.  Amen. 

Litany  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 

Third  Day. 

Preparatory  Prayer,  Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  as 
on  page  321+. 

PRAYER. 

Remember,  0  most  pious  Virgin,  it  is  a  thing 
unheard  of  that  thou  hast  ever  forsaken  those 
who  have  recourse  to  thee.  Encouraged  with 
this  hope  and  confidence,  my  most  dear  Mother, 
I,  a  miserable  sinner,  cast  myself  at  thy  sacred 
feet,  humbly  begging  that  thou  wilt  adopt  me  as 
thy  child  forever,  and  take  upon  thee  the  care 
of  my  eternal  salvation:  do  not,  Mother  of  the 
Word  Incarnate!  reject  my  petition,  but  gra¬ 
ciously  hear  and  grant  it.  Amen. 

Litany  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 

Fourth  Day. 

Preparatory  Prayer,  Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  as 
on  page  32^. 

PRAYER. 

0  most  glorious  and  ever-blessed  Virgin  Mary 
of  Mount  Carmel!  I,  thy  unworthy  child  and 


Our  Lady  of  Mount  Carmel  and  the  Scapular.  327 

client,  sensible  of  the  favors  thou  enjoyest  with 
God,  humbly  present  myself  before  thee,  and  beg 
that  thou  wilt  intercede  and  obtain  for  me  true 
contrition  and  repentance,  an  undefiled  purity  of 
heart,  and  a  conscience  free  from  sin  and  all 
offence  against  God.  Direct  me,  I  beseech  thee,  in 
all  my  actions  during  life,  and  in  that  awful  mo¬ 
ment  when  my  poor  soul  departs  from  my  body 
conduct  it  into  the  presence  of  thy  Son,  there  to 
sing  his  praises  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen. 

Litany  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 

Fifth  Day. 

Preparatory  Prayer,  Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  as 
on  page  S21+. 

PRAYER. 

0  most  glorious  Virgin  Mother!  who,  by  favor 
of  thy  divine  Son,  hast  so  great  power  in  heaven 
and  on  earth,  enlighten  my  blindness  and 
strengthen  my  resolution.  The  zeal  thou  hast 
in  promoting  the  welfare  of  thy  sacred  Order, 
and  the  part  thou  takest  in  seeing  the  grace  of 
Our  Redeemer  abound  in  us,  give  me  a  right  to 
thy  interest  in  this  my  request;  and  when  that 
awful  hour  of  death  approaches,  be  to  me,  I  be¬ 
seech  thee,  a  tender  mother,  and  by  thy  prayers 


328 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


dispose  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  favorably  in  my 
regard.  Amen. 

Litany  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 

Sixth  Day. 

Preparatory  Prayer,  Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  as 
on  page  321+. 

PRAYER. 

0  most  glorious  and  ever-virgin  Mary  of  Mount 
Carmel!  I  offer  unto  thee  this  day  all  my  thoughts, 
words,  and  actions.  I  am  weak  and  infirm,  de¬ 
jected  and  cast  down  at  every  tribulation,  and 
terrified  at  the  dismal  prospect  a  review  of  my 
own  interior  gives  me.  All  is  misery,  a  continual 
propensity  to  vice  and  repugnance  to  virtue.  0 
Mother  of  mercy  and  Refuge  of  sinners!  thou  wilt 
not  reject  a  contrite  and  humble  heart.  Inter¬ 
cede  for  me,  I  beseech  thee,  that  I  may  so  live  in 
this  sinful  world  that  at  the  hour  of  death  I  may 
be  worthy  to  be  admitted  into  the  regions  of 
bliss.  Through  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who 
with  the  Father  and  the  Son  liveth  and  reigneth, 
one  God,  world  without  end.  Amen. 

Litany  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 

Seventh  Day. 

Preparatory  Prayer,  Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  as 
on  page  32 J. 


Our  Lady  of  Mount  Carmel  and  the  Scapular.  329 


PRAYER. 

0  most  holy  Mary  of  Mount  Carmel!  pray  for 
me,  I  beseech  thee,  that,  through  the  merits  of 
thy  Son,  I  may  enjoy  perpetual  health  of  mind 
and  body,  and  that  I  may  serve  him  faithfully  in 
this  life,  and  hereafter  see,  love,  and  enjoy  him 
in  the  kingdom  of  his  glory.  Who  with  the 
Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost  liveth  and  reigneth, 
one  God,  world  without  end.  Amen. 

Litany  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 

Eighth  Day. 

Preparatory  Prayer,  Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  as 
on  page  32Jf. 

PRAYER. 

0  most  glorious  and  ever-blessed  Virgin  Mary 
of  Mount  Carmel!  faithful  protectress  of  all  those 
who  wear  thy  holy  scapular,  behold  thy  poor  ser¬ 
vant  humbly  prostrate  at  thy  feet,  deploring  his 
misery  and  imploring  thy  prayers,  and  beseeching 
thee  to  protect  him  through  the  stormy  ocean  of 
this  tempestuous  world;  hear  my  prayers,  then, 
0  Refuge  of  sinners!  and  after  this  our  exile  show 
unto  us  the  blessed  fruit  of  thy  womb,  Jesus, 
0  most  clement,  0  most  loving,  0  most  sweet 
Virgin  Mary! 

Litany  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 


330 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Ninth  Day. 

Preparatory  Prayer,  Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  as 
on  page  32J+. 

PRAYER. 

0  blessed  finder  of  grace.  Mother  of  life, 
Mother  of  salvation!  may  we  through  thee  have 
access  to  thy  Son;  and  that  he  who  was  given 
us  through  thee  may  receive  us  through  thee, 
may  thy  integrity  and  innocence  excuse  before 
him  the  stain  of  our  corruption;  may  thy  abun¬ 
dant  charity  cover  the  multitude  of  our  sins,  and 
thy  glorious  fruitfulness  supply  our  want  of  mer¬ 
its.  Our  Mother,  our  Mediatrix,  our  Advocate! 
reconcile  us  to  thy  Son,  commend  ns  to  thy  Son, 
present  us  to  thy  Son;  by  the  grace  with  which 
thou  art  honored,  obtain  that  he  who  through 
thee  put  on  our  weakness  may  through  thee  make 
us  partakers  of  his  bliss  and  glory.  Amen. 

Litany  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 

PRAYERS  AT  THE  CONCLUSION  OF  THE  NOYENA. 

0  God,  who  hast  deigned  to  honor  the  order 
of  Carmel  with  the  glorious  title  of  Thy  Virgin 
Mother,  grant  the  grace  of  her  protection  to  all 
who  celebrate  this  solemn  commemoration,  so 
that  through  her  we  may  attain  eternal  happi¬ 
ness.  Amen. 


Our  Lady  of  Mount  Carmel  and  the  Scapular.  331 

0  glorious  Virgin  Mary!  Queen  of  Carmel, 
Mother  of  God  and  of  poor  sinners,  special  pro¬ 
tectress  of  all  those  who  wear  thy  holy  scapular, 
I  supplicate  thee,  by  the  glory  that  has  been  ac¬ 
corded  thee  by  the  Incarnate  Word  in  choosing 
thee  for  his  Mother,  to  obtain  for  me  the  pardon 
of  my  sins,  amendment  of  my  life,  salvation  of 
my  soul,  consolation  in  my  pains,  and  in  particu¬ 
lar  the  grace  I  ask  in  this  no  vena,  provided  it  be 
(Conformable  to  the  will  of  thy  divine  Son. 
Amen. 


A  SPECIAL  PRAYER  TO  OUR  LADY  OF 
MOUNT  CARMEL. 

0  most  beautiful  flower  of  Mount  Carmel, 
fruitful  wine,  splendor  of  heaven,  blessed  Mother 
of  the  Son  of  God,  immaculate  Virgin,  assist  me 
in  this  my  necessity.  0  Star  of  the  Sea,  help  me, 
and  show  me  herein  thou  art  my  Mother. 

0  holy  Mary,  Mother  of  God,  Queen  of  heaven 
•and  earth,  I  humbly  beseech  thee  from  the  bot¬ 
tom  of  my  heart  to  succor  me  in  this  necessity: 
there  are  none  that  can  withstand  thy  power. 
Oh,  show  me  herein  thou  art  my  Mother. 

0  Mary,  conceived  without  sin,  pray  for  us  who 
have  recourse  to  thee.  ( Three  times.) 

Sweet  Mother,  I  place  this  cause  in  thy  hands. 
( Three  times.) 


332 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


THE  FEAST  OF  THE  ASSUMPTION. 

(August  15th.) 

HISTORICAL  EXPLANATION. 

The  learned  historians  Colvenerius,  Surius,  and 
others  hold  that  this  feast  originated  with  the 
Apostles.  Even  in  the  time  of  Constantine,  the 
first  Christian  emperor,  it  was  celebrated  with 
great  splendor  (330). 

“It  is  certain,’7  writes  Jacob  Pamelius,  choir¬ 
master  at  Bruges,  “  that  the  Feast  of  the  As¬ 
sumption  was  celebrated  in  the  days  of  St. 
Jerome  and  St.  Augustine.77  St.  Athanasius,  St. 
Andrew  of  Crete,  and  others  confirm  this  opinion. 

At  the  request  of  the  Emperor  Mauritius,  Ni- 
cephorus  tells  us,  the  feast  was  changed  from  the 
18th  of  January  to  the  15th  of  August  (582). 

According  to  the  testimony  of  the  librarian 
Anastatius,  Pope  Sergius  I.  (687-701)  issued  a 
rescript  ordering  the  manner  of  celebration, 
namely,  as  a  feast  of  the  first  class,  with  proces¬ 
sions,  litanies,  and  vigils. 

Pope  Leo  IV.  further  honored  this  feast  in  the 
year  847  by  giving  it  an  octave,  a  fast,  and  mak¬ 
ing  it  a  holy  day  of  obligation  for  the  whole 
Christian  world. 


The  Feast  of  the  Assumption. 


333 


NO  VENA  FOR  THE  FEAST  OF  THE 
ASSUMPTION. 

(Novena  begins  August  6th  and  ends  August  14th.) 

First  Day. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  etc.,  as  on  page  231. 

0  Queen  of  all  the  virgin  choir, 

Enthroned  above  the  starry  sky! 

Who  with  pure  milk  from  thy  own  breast 
Thy  own  Creator  didst  supply; 

What  man  hath  lost  in  hapless  Eve, 

Thy  sacred  womb  to  man  restores; 

Thou  to  the  wretched  here  beneath 
Hast  opened  heaven’s  eternal  doors. 

Hail,  0  refulgent  hall  of  light! 

Hail,  gate  sublime  of  heaven’s  high  King! 
Through  thee  redeemed  to  endless  life, 

Thy  praise  let  all  the  nations  sing. 

0  Jesu,  born  of  Virgin  bright! 

Immortal  glory  be  to  Thee; 

Praise  to  the  Father  infinite 
And  Holy  Ghost  eternally. 

GLORY  OF  MARY  IY  DEATH. 

She  was  well  prepared  to  die. 

Consider  how  glorious  Mary  was  at  the  hour  of 
her  death,  because  in  life  she  was  so  well  prepared 


334 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


to  die,  by  her  most  ardent  longing  to  see  her  God 
and  be  forever  united  to  her  Son,  and  by  the  unap¬ 
proachable  merit  of  her  consummate  perfection. 
Then,  considering  how  different  we  are  from  Mary 
in  our  preparation  for  death  we  shall  thus  address 
her : 

Holiest  Virgin,  who,  to  prepare  thyself  for  a 
holy  death,  didst  live  in  ceaseless  longing  for  the 
vision  of  thy  God,  oh!  do  thou,  virgin  Mother  1 
take  from  us  the  vain  desire  of  the  frail  things 
of  earth. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Holiest  Virgin,  who,  to  prepare  thyself  to  die 
holily,  didst  in  life  sigh  to  be  united  forever  to 
thy  Son  Jesus,  oh!  obtain  for  us  fidelity  to  Jesus 
even  unto  death. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Holiest  Virgin,  who,  to  die  holily,  didst  make  it 
thy  care  to  acquire  a  degree  of  merit  and  virtue 
unapproachable  by  any  other  than  thyself,  oh! 
intercede  for  us  that  we  may  know  that  virtue 
and  the  grace  of  God  alone  are  the  road  that  leads 
to  salvation. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Now  we  will  raise  our  voices  in  praise  of  Mary, 
who  was  so  careful  in  preparing  for  death ;  and  while 
we  magnify  her  glory  in  union  with  the  nine  choirs 
of  angels,  who  made  her  escort  on  her  assumption 
into  heaven,  we  shall  say  with  the  first  choir : 

The  Litany  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  afterwards: 


The  Feast  of  the  Assumption. 


335 


V.  The  holy  Mother  of  God  is  exalted 

B.  High  above  the  angel  choirs  to  the  heavenly 
kingdom. 

Let  us  Pray. 

We  beseech  Thee,  Lord,  pardon  the  shortcom¬ 
ings  of  Thy  servants,  that  we,  who  by  onr  own 
works  are  not  able  to  please  Thee,  may  be  saved 
by  the  intercession  of  the  Mother  of  Tby  Son, 
Onr  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

“  God,  who  through/’  etc.,  and  “  0  God,  the 
Pastor,”  etc.,  as  on  page  23^. 

Second  Day. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  etc.,  as  on  page  231;  0 
Queen  of  all  the  virgin  choir,  etc.,  as  on  page  333. 

GLORY  OF  MARY  IN  DEATH. 

She  died  in  the  midst  of  the  Apostles  and  in  the 
presence  of  her  Son  Jesus. 

Consider  how  glorious  Mary  was  at  the  hour  of 
her  death,  comforted,  according  to  the  holy  doctors 
of  the  Church,  not  only  by  the  Apostles  and  saints, 
but  also  by  her  Son  Jesus;  and  while  we  contemplate 
the  unspeakable  joy  which  she  experienced  in  that 
hour  through  so  extraordinary  a  favor,  let  us  have 
recourse  to  her,  saying : 

Glorious  Virgin,  who  for  thy  consolation  didst 
deserve  to  die  in  the  company  of  the  Apostles  and 


336 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


saints,  oh!  may  we  feel  thee  nigh  when  we  breathe 
forth  our  souls,  and  may  our  holy  patrons  too  he 
there  to  lend  their  aid. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Glorious  Virgin,  who,  at  the  moment  of  thy 
death,  wast  comforted  by  the  sight  of  thy  dear 
Son  Jesus,  oh!  pray  for  us  that  at  that  awful  mo¬ 
ment  w.e  too  may  be  comforted  by  receiving  Jesus 
in  the  most  holy  Viaticum. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Glorious  Virgin,  who  in  the  arms  of  Jesus  didst 
give  up  thy  spirit,  aid  us  that  we  may  also  give  up 
our  souls  in  the  arms  of  the  same  dear  Lord,  with 
this  one  desire,  that  his  most  holy  will  may  be 
forever  done  in  us. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Let  us  magnify  Our  Lady’s  glory,  assisted  at  her 
death  by  her  Son  Jesus  and  his  Apostles,  joining  in 
jubilee  at  her  triumph  with  the  second  choir  of  the 
heavenly  host,  saying : 

The  Litany,  etc. 

The  holy  Mother  of  God  is  exalted,  etc.,  as  on 
'page  335. 

Third  Day. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  etc.,  as  on  page  231;  0 
Queen  of  all  the  virgin  choir,  etc.,  as  on  page  333. 


The  Feast  of  the  Assumption. 


337 


GLORY  OF  MARY  IN'  DEATH. 

She  died  in  an  ecstasy  of  love. 

Consider  how  glorious  Mary  was  in  her  death,  for 
she  breathed  forth  her  soul  in  an  ecstasy  of  divine 
love.  Wherefore,  with  eager  longing  to  gather 
strength  from  that  all-holy  fire  of  love,  let  us  have 
recourse  to  her,  saying : 

Mary,  happiest  Virgin,  who  didst  give  up  thy 
mortal  life  through  the  vehemence  of  thy  love  for 
God,  make  it  thy  care  that  in  our  hearts,  as  God 
doth  will,  there  be  lit  up  this  living  fire  of  his 
love. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Mary,  happiest  Virgin,  who,  dying  of  pure  love 
for  God,  didst  show  what  our  love  for  God  should 
be,  oh!  pray  for  us,  that  we  may  never  leave  our 
God  in  life  or  death. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Mary,  happiest  Virgin,  in  leaving  this  mortal 
life  through  an  ecstasy  of  love  thou  didst  make 
known  the  fire  which  ever  burned  within  thy 
hreast,  oh!  pray  for  us,  that  at  least  one  spark  of 
that  same  fire  may  burn  in  us,  giving  us  true  sor¬ 
row  for  our  sins. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

With  the  third  choir  of  the  angels  let  us  exalt  the 
ineffable  glory  of  Mary,  inflamed  with  burning  love 
for  God,  saying : 


338 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


The  Litany,  etc. 

The  holy  Mother  of  God  is  exalted,  etc.,  as  on 
page  335. 

Fourth  Day. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  etc.,  as  on  page  231;  0 
Queen  of  all  the  virgin  choir,  etc.,  as  on  page  333. 

GLORY  OF  MARY  AFTER  DEATH. 

In  her  dead  body. 

Consider  how  glorious  Mary  was  after  her  death 
in  her  dead  body;  for  from  her  body,  clothed  with 
majesty,  most  wondrous  lustre  shone,  while  it 
diffused  around  odors  of  sanctity,  breathing  the 
fragrance  of  paradise  and  by  its  mere  presence 
working  innumerable  miracles.  Then  conscious  of 
our  many  miseries,  let  us  thus  entreat  her : 

Lady  unsullied,  who  by  thy  virginal  purity 
didst  merit  the  glory  of  being  so  bright  and  so 
majestic  in  thy  body  after  death,  oh!  obtain  for 
us  the  strength  to  detach  ourselves  from  every 
foul  spirit  of  impurity. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Lady  unsullied,  who  through  thy  rare  virtue 
didst  exhale  from  thy  dead  body  the  sweet  fra¬ 
grance  of  paradise,  make  it  thy  care  that  by  our 
life  we  may  both  edify  our  neighbor  and  never 
more  by  our  bad  example  become  a  stumbling- 
block  to  others. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 


The  Feast  of  the  Assumption. 


339 


Lady  unsullied,  at  the  sight  of  whose  sacred 
body  were  healed  innumerable  maladies,  may  thy 
prayers  heal  all  our  spiritual  ills. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Let  us  rejoice  at  the  glory  given  to  the  dead  body 
of  Mary,  while  with  the  fourth  choir  of  the  angels 
we  exalt  her  majesty,  saying: 

The  Litany,  etc. 

The  holy  Mother  of  God  is  exalted,  etc.,  as  on 
page  335. 

Fifth  Day. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  etc.,  as  on  page  231;  0 
Queen  of  all  the  virgin  choir,  etc.,  as  on  page  333. 

GLORY  OF  MARY  AFTER  DEATH. 

In  the  resurrection  of  her  body. 

Consider  how  glorious  Mary  was  after  death, 
since  by  the  power  of  the  Most  High  her  sacred 
body,  raised  to  life,  acquired  in  an  instant  the  gifts 
of  brightness,  subtlety,  agility,  and  impassibility; 
and,  filled  with  consolation  at  the  excellence  of  her 
surpassing  glory,  let  us  thus  invoke  her : 

Lady  exalted,  who  by  thy  God  wast  so  glori¬ 
ously  raised  to  life,  help  us  so  to  live  on  earth 
that  we,  too,  like  thee,  may  rise  again  on  the  last 
judgment  day. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Lady  exalted,  whose  risen  body  was  endowed 


340 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


with  the  gifts  of  brightness  and  subtlety,  by  the 
bright  example  and  the  humility  of  thy  life  on 
earth,  oh!  take  from  us  all  movements  of  dis¬ 
dain  and  scorn,  that,  freed  from  the  trammels  of 
self-love,  our  souls  may  be  adorned  with  holy 
humility. 

Hail  Mary,  three  tunes. 

Lady  exalted,  God  made  thy  risen  body  glorious 
with  the  gifts  of  agility  and  impassibility,  because 
great  was  thy  spiritual  zeal  and  patience  while 
on  earth,  oh!  obtain  for  us  courage  to  mortify 
with  vigor  our  bodies,  and  to  curb  with  patience 
our  headstrong  passions. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Let  us  give  to  Mary  the  praise  which  is  due  to  her 
and  magnify  the  glory  which  adorns  her  risen  body, 
while  with  the  fifth  choir  of  the  angels  we  honor 
her,  saying : 

The  Litany,  etc. 

The  holy  Mother  of  God  is  exalted,  etc.,  as  on 
page  335. 

Sixth  Hay. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  etc.,  as  on  page  231;  0 
Queen  of  all  the  virgin  choir,  etc.,  as  on  page  333. 

GLORY  OF  MARY  AFTER  DEATH. 

In  her  assumption  into  heaven. 

Consider  how  Mary  was  gloriously  taken  up  to 
heaven,  for  she  was  escorted  by  legions  of  the 


The  Feast  of  the  Assumption. 


341 


heavenly  hosts  and  by  blessed  souls  delivered  by  her 
merits  from  purgatory;  and,  joining  in  the  majesty 
of  her  triumph,  let  us  with  all  humility  offer  to  her 
our  supplications : 

Great  Queen,  assumed  so  royally  into  the  king¬ 
dom  of  eternal  peace,  oh!  take  from  us  all  sordid 
earthly  thoughts,  and  give  us  grace  to  fix  our 
hearts  firmly  on  the  contemplation  of  the  change¬ 
less  bliss  of  heaven. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Great  Queen,  who  in  thy  assumption  into 
heaven  wast  surrounded  by  the  heavenly  hosts, 
obtain  for  us  strength  to  master  Satan’s  wiles  and 
to  lend  a  docile  ear  to  the  good  counsels  of  that 
blessed  Spirit  who  directs  our  path  and  aids  our 
tottering  .steps. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Great  Queen,  by  the  glory  which  thou  didst 
enjoy  in  thy  assumption  into  heaven  from  the 
company  of  the  souls  drawn  by  thy  merits  out  of 
purgatory,  obtain  for  us,  that,  freed  from  the 
slavery  of  sin,  we  may  deserve  to  praise  thee  for 
all  eternity. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Let  us  not  cease  to  applaud  Mary's  royal  triumph 
and  the  extraordinary  glory  which  she  obtained  in 
her  solemn  assumption  into  heaven,  but  with  the 
sixth  choir  of  the  angels  let  us  honor  her,  saying : 

The  Litanv,  etc. 


342 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


The  holy  Mother  of  God  is  exalted,  etc.,  as  on 
page  335. 

Seventh  Day. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  etc.,  as  on  page  231;  0 
Queen  of  all  the  virgin  choir,  etc.,  as  on  page  333. 

GLORY  OF  MARY  AFTER  DEATH. 

In  her  assumption  into  heaven. 

Consider  how  glorious  Mary  is  in  heaven,  where, 
as  Queen  of  the  universe,  she  is  enthroned,  and 
from  countless  hosts  of  angels  and  of  saints  is  ever 
receiving  homage  and  veneration.  Wherefore, 
bending  before  her  royal  throne,  we,  too,  implore  her 
aid : 

Sovereign  Queen  of  the  universe,  who,  through 
thy  incomparable  merit,  art  raised  to  such  high 
glory  in  heaven,  oh!  in  thy  pity,  look  down  on  us 
and  on  our  miseries,  and  with  the  gentle  sway  of 
thy  protection  rule  over  us. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Sovereign  Queen  of  the  universe,  who  on  thy 
throne  arf  ever  receiving  worship  and  homage 
from  all  the  heavenly  hosts,  suffer  us,  we  beseech 
thee,  to  address  thee,  and  grant  that  our  invoca¬ 
tions  may  be  made  with  such  reverence  as  befits 
thy  dignity  and  greatness. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Sovereign  Queen  of  the  universe,  by  that  glory 


The  Feast  of  the  Assumption. 


343 


which  accrues  to  thee  from  thy  preeminent  dig¬ 
nity  in  heaven,  vouchsafe  to  take  us  for  thy  ser¬ 
vants,  and  obtain  for  us  that  we  may  be  quick 
and  ready  in  the  faithful  observance  of  the  com- 
mands  of  our  God  and  Lord. 

Hail  Marv,  three  times. 

Let  us  enter  in  some  way  into  the  joy  which  angels 
feel  while  they  praise  Mary,  and  be  exceedingly 
glad,  because  we  know  that  she  is  raised  to  the  dig¬ 
nity  of  Queen  of  the  universe,  while  with  the  seventh 
choir  of  the  angels  we  say: 

The  Litany,  etc. 

The  holy  Mother  of  God  is  exalted,  etc.,  as  on 
page  335. 

Eighth  Day. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  etc.,  as  on  page  231;  0 
Queen  of  all  the  virgin  choir,  etc.,  as  on  page  333. 

GLORY  OF  MARY  AFTER  DEATH. 

From  the  crown  which  adorns  her  brow. 

Consider  how  glorious  Mary  is  in  heaven  from  the 
royal  diadem  wherewith  her  divine  Son  hath 
crowned  her,  and  from  the  vast  knowledge  which  she 
has  of  the  deep  mysteries  of  God,  past,  present,  and 
to  come ;  and,  full  of  reverence  for  the  incomparable 
honors  bestowed  upon  our  great  Queen,  let  us  have 
recourse  to  her,  saying : 

Peerless  Queen,  who  in  heaven  on  high  wast 
crowned  with  a  priceless  royal  diadem  by  thy 


344 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


divine  Son,  make  ns  share  thy  matchless  virtues, 
that,  purified  in  heart  and  mind,  we  may  he 
worthy  to  wear  a.  crown  with  thee  in  paradise. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Peerless  Queen,  by  that  wide  knowledge  of  all 
things  in  and  on  earth  granted  thee,  for  thy 
glory’s  sake  win  pardon  for  our  past  offences,  and 
never  let  us  anger  thee  again  by  forward  tongue 
or  wanton  thought. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Peerless  Queen,  who  would  see  us  pure  and 
stainless  that  we  may  be  fit  to  stand  before  thy 
God,  obtain  for  ns  forgiveness  of  our  sins,  and 
help  us  ever  in  look  and  word  and  deed  to  please 
his  heavenly  majesty. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Let  us  purify  our  hearts  to  give  meet  praise  to 
Mary,  and  to  the  glory  she  possesses  in  that  bright 
crown  which  decks  her  royal  brow  let  us  add  these 
humble  tokens  of  our  love,  while  with  the  joy  of  the 
eighth  choir  of  the  angels  saying : 

The  Litany,  etc. 

The  holv  Mother  of  God  is  exalted,  etc.,  as  on 
page  335. 


Mm  Day. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  etc.,  as  on  page  231;  0 
Queen  of  all  the  virgin  choir,  etc.,  as  on  page  333. 


The  Feast  of  the  Assumption. 


345 


GLORY  OP  MARY  AFTER  DEATH. 

In  her  patronage  of  men. 

Consider  how  glorious  Mary  is  in  heaven  by  her 
patronage  of  men,  and  because  she  is  able  and  most 
anxious  to  aid  them  in  their  needs.  With  most 
lively  confidence,  because  for  our  patroness  we  have 
the  very  Mother  of  our  God,  let  us  with  all  our 
heart  beseech  her : 

Mary,  our  most  powerful  patroness,  who  in 
heaven  dost  glory  in  being  the  advocate  of  men, 
preserve  us  from  our  infernal  foe,  and  place  us 
in  the  arms  of  him  who  is  our  God  and  our 
Creator. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Mary,  our  most  powerful  patroness,  who  in 
heaven  art  the  advocate  of  men,  and  dost  wish 
that  all  men  should  be  saved,  grant  that  none  of 
us  despair  when  we  behold  our  past  relapses  into 

sin. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Mary,  our  most  powerful  patroness,  whose  de¬ 
light  it  ever  is,  in  the  fulfilment  of  thine  office,  to 
be  invoked  by  men,  obtain  for  us  true  devotion, 
and  make  it  thy  care  that  we  never  fail  to  call 
thee  to  our  aid  in  life,  and,  above  all,  at  the  awful 
moment,  of  our  death. 

Hail  Mary,  three  times. 

Let  us  celebrate  with  all  our  heart  the  glory  of 
Mary,  and,  full  of  consolation  at  the  thought  that 


346 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


we  have  in  heaven  an  advocate,  let  us  unite  with  the 
ninth  choir  of  the  angels  in  praising  her,  while  we 
say : 

The  Litany,  etc. 

The  holy  Mother  of  God  is  exalted,  etc.,  as  on 
page  333. 

For  making  the  above  novena  an  indulgence  of 
three  hundred  days  every  day,  and  a  plenary  indul¬ 
gence  on  the  festival  itself  or  on  any  day  of  its 
octave. — Pius  VII.,  Aug.  4  and  Nov.  24,  1808;  Jan. 
11,  1809. 

MEDITATIONS  FOR  THE  FEAST. 

i. 

Mary  died;  but  how  did  she  die?  She  died  en- 
tirely  detached  from  all  created  things;  she  died 
consumed  by  that  divine  love  which  during  her 
whole  life  had  always  inflamed  her  most  holy 
heart. 

0  holy  Mother,  thou  hast  already  left  the  earth; 
do  not  forget  ns  miserable  pilgrims  who  remain  in 
this  valley  of  tears,  struggling  against  so  many 
enemies  who  wish  to  drag  us  to  hell.  Ah,  by  the 
merits  of  thy  precious  death  be  graciously  pleased 
to  obtain  us  detachment  from  earthly  things,  the 
forgiveness  of  our  sins,  love  of  God,  and  holy  per¬ 
severance;  and  when  the  hour  of  death  arrives, 
help  us  from  heaven  with  thy  prayers,  and  obtain 
for  us  that  we  may  kiss  thy  feet  in  paradise. 


The  Feast  of  the  Assumption. 


347 


II. 

Mary  died,  and  her  most  pure  body  was  carried 
by  the  holy  Apostles  and  placed  in  the  sepulchre, 
where  it  was  guarded  by  angels  for  three  days; 
after  which  it  was  transported  to  paradise;  but 
her  beautiful  soul  entered  the  blessed  kingdom  at 
the  very  moment  in  which  she  expired,  accom¬ 
panied  by  innumerable  angels,  and  also  accom¬ 
panied  by  her  Son  himself.  When  she  had  entered 
heaven,  she  humbly  presented  herself  before  God, 
adored  him,  and  with  immense  feeling  thanked 
him  for  the  many  graces  which  he  had  bestowed 
upon  her.  God  embraced  her,  blessed  her,  and 
declared  her  Queen  of  the  universe,  exalting  her 
above  all  the  angels  and  saints.  But  now,  if,  as 
the  Apostle  says,  the  human  mind  cannot  com¬ 
prehend  the  immense  glory  which  God  has  pre¬ 
pared  in  heaven  for  his  servants  who  have  loved 
him  in  this  world,  how  great  must  be  the  glory 
which  he  bestowed  on  this  most  holy  Mother,  who 
on  earth  loved  him  more  than  all  the  saints  and 
angels,  and  loved  him  with  all  her  strength;  so 
that  when  Mary  entered  heaven  she  alone  could 
say  to  God,  “  0  Lord,  if  on  earth  I  did  not  love 
Thee  as  much  as  Thou  deservedst,  at  least  I  loved 
Thee  as  much  as  I  could  love  Thee.” 


348 


Practices  of  Devotion . 


ill. 

Let  us  rejoice  with  Mary  at  the  glory  with  which 
God  has  enriched  her.  Let  ns  also  rejoice  for  our¬ 
selves;  for  at  the  same  time  that  Mary  was  made 
Queen  of  the  world,  she  was  also  made  our  ad¬ 
vocate.  She  is  so  compassionate  an  advocate  that 
she  accepts  the  causes  of  all  sinners  who  recom¬ 
mend  themselves  to  her;  and  she  also  has  so  great 
power  with  our  Judge  that  she  gains  all  causes 
which  she  defends. 


Example. 

St.  Charles  Borromeo,  Archbishop  of  Milan  and 
Cardinal  of  the  Holy  Roman  Catholic  Church,  takes 
a  high  rank  among  the  devoted  servants  of  Mary. 
This  energetic  shepherd  who  worked  so  hard  and 
beneficently  for  his  flocks  during  hard  and  bitter 
times,  was  convinced  that  the  efforts  for  the  con¬ 
version  of  sinners  and  the  salvation  of  men  can  bear 
but  little  fruit  unless  we  have  the  blessing  from  on 
high.  With  this  thought  he  had  constant  recourse 
to  Jesus  and  Mary.  Even  as  a  boy  he  visited  daily 
a  church  dedicated  to  Mary.  Her  protection  enabled 
him  to  withstand  the  temptations  against  chastity 
to- which  he  wras  subject  as  a  youth.  He  recited  the 
Rosary  every  day  and  the  Office  of  the  Blessed  \  ir- 
gin  and  fasted,  on  the  vigils  of  her  feasts,  on  bread 
and  water.  If  he  was  on  the  street  or  the  highway 
when  the  Angelus  rang  he  knelt  down  on  the  spot 
to  say  the  prayer.  He  used  the  authority  of  his 
high  position  to  spread  the  devotion  to  Mary.  He 
ordered  that  an  image  of  Mary  be  placed  at  the 
entrance  of  all  the  churches  in  the  province  to  le- 


The  Feast  of  the  Assumption.  349 

mind  the  people  that  we  must  look  for  help  from 
God  through  her  who  is  the  chief  source  of  his 
grace  to  men,  and  that  we  cannot  otherwise  enter 
the  temple  of  eternal  glory  but  through  the  inter¬ 
cession  of  the  Blessed  Mother,  she  whom  the  Church 
calls  the  Gate  of  heaven.  How  fruitful  his  devo¬ 
tion  was,  both  for  his  people  and  for  himself  is 
shown  by  the  great  good  he  was  enabled  to  ac¬ 
complish  during  life  and  by  his  personal  saintliness. 

A  Prayer  to  the  Blessed  Virgin. 

O  thou  most  holy  Virgin  Mary,  who  dost  evermore 
stand  before  the  throne  of  the  Most  Holy  Trinity, 
and  to  whom  it  is  granted  at  all  times  to  pray  for 
us  to  thy  most  beloved  Son,  pray  for  me  in  ail  my 
necessities ;  help  me,  combat  for  me,  give  thanks  for 
me,  and  obtain  for  me  the  pardon  of  all  my  sins. 
Help  me  especially  at  my  last  hour;  and  when  I 
can  no  longer  give  any  sign  of  the  use  of  reason, 
then  do  thou  encourage  me,  make  the  sign  of  the 
cross  for  me,  sprinkle  me  with  holy  water,  and  fight 
for  me  against  the  enemy.  Make  in  my  name  a  pro¬ 
fession  of  faith,  favor  me  with  a  testimony  of  my 
salvation,  and  never  let  me  despair  of  the  mercy  of 
God.  Help  me  to  overcome  the  wicked  enemy;  and 
when  I  can  no  longer  say,  “  Jesus,  Mary,  and  Joseph, 
I  place  my  soul  in  your  hands,”  say  it  for  me;  and 
when  I  can  no  longer  hear  human  words  of  con¬ 
solation,  then  do  thou  comfort  me.  Leave  me  not 
before  I  have  been  judged ;  and  may  the  divine  heart 
of  Jesus  and  the  immaculate  heart  of  Mary  be 
known,  praised,  blessed,  loved,  worshipped,  and 
glorified  always  and  in  all  places.  Amen. 

1.  Indulgence  of  sixty  days  once  a  day. 

2.  A  plenary  indulgence  on  the  Feasts  of  the 
Nativity,  of  the  Assumption,  and  of  the  Immacu¬ 
late  Heart  of  Mary  to  all  those  who  shall  have  said 


350 


Practices  of  Devotion. 

> 

the  above  prayer  every  day  during  the  year  when, 
being  truly  penitent,  after  confession  and  Com¬ 
munion,  they  shall  visit  a  church  or  an  altar  in  any 
church  dedicated  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  and 
pray  for  the  intention  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff. 

3.  A  plenary  indulgence  at  the  hour  of  death  to 
those  who  during  life  shall  have  practised  this  pious 
exercise  every  day. 


THE  FEAST  OF  THE  NATIVITY. 

(September  8th.) 

HISTORICAL  EXPLANATION. 

The  celebration  of  the  feast  probably  had  its 
origin  in  the  Greek  Church  after  the  Council  of 
Ephesus  convened  to  oppose  the  teachings  of 
Nestorius,  who  particularly  attacked  the  Mother 
of  God,  urging  that  she  had  no  right  to  be  called 
thus,  as  there  were  two  separate  natures  in  Christ, 
the  divine  and  the  human,  and  she  was  only  the 
mother  of  the  human.  In  the  Western  Church, 
where  the  heresies  of  Nestorius  had  but  little  in¬ 
fluence,  its  celebration  began  later.  St.  Ildephon- 
sus,  who  lived  in  the  seventh  century,  mentions 
the  feast,  and  collects,  processions,  matins,  and  a 
special  preface  for  the  Mass  of  this  day  were  in 
existence  in  the  time  of  Gregory  the  Great. 


The  Feast  of  the  Nativity. 


351 


NOVENA  FOE  THE  FEAST  OF  OUR  LADY’S 

NATIVITY. 

(Novena  begins  August  30th  and  ends 
September  7th.) 

NINE  GREETINGS  TO  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  etc.,  as  on  page  231. 

Most  holy  Mary,  chosen  and  predestined  from 
all  eternity  by  the  Most  Holy  Trinity  to  be  the 
Mother  of  the  only-begotten  Son  of  the  Eternal 
Father,  foretold  by  the  prophets,  longed  for  by  the 
patriarchs,  desired  by  all  nations,  sanctuary  and 
living  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  sun  without 
blemish,  because  conceived  free  from  original  sin, 
Mistress  of  heaven  and  of  earth,  Queen  of  angels, 
humbly  prostrate  at  thy  feet  we  give  thee  our 
homage,  rejoicing  that  the  year  has  brought 
round  again  the  memory  of  thy  sweet  nativity. 
With  all  our  hearts  we  pray  thee  to  vouchsafe  in 
thy  goodness  to  come  down  again  and  be  born  in 
spirit  in  our  souls,  that,  led  captive  by  thy  loveli¬ 
ness  and  sweetness,  they  may  ever  live  united  to 
thy  most  sweet  and  loving  heart. 

Now,  with  nine  distinct  greetings,  we  shall  go 
back  in  thought  to  the  nine  months  thou  didst 
pass  within  the  cloister  of  thy  mother’s  womb,  and 
say  devoutly: 

1.  We  hail  thee,  Mary,  who,  sprung  from  the 


352 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


royal  line  of  David,  didst  come  forth  from  the 
light  of  heaven  with  high  honor  from  the  wornb 
of  holy  Anne,  thy  most  happy  mother. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

2.  We  hail  thee,  heavenly  babe,  white  dove  of 
purity,  who,  despite  the  infernal  serpent,  wast  con¬ 
ceived  free  from  the  taint  of  Adam's  sin. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

3.  We  hail  thee,  brightest  morn,  forerunner  of 
the  heavenly  Sun  of  Justice,  who  didst  first  bring 
light  to  earth. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

4.  We  hail  thee,  0  chosen  one!  who,  like  the 
untarnished  sun,  didst  hurst  forth  into  being  in 
the  dark  night  of  sin. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

5.  We  hail  thee,  beauteous  moon,  who  didst 
shed  light  upon  a  world  wrapped  in  the  thickest 
darkness  of  idolatry. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

6.  We  hail  thee,  strong  infant,  who,  in  thyself 
a  host,  alone  didst  put  to  flight  all  hell. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

7.  We  hail  thee,  fair  soul  of  Mary,  who  from  all 
eternity  wast  God’s  and  God’s  alone. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

8.  We  hail  thee,  dear  child,  and  we  humbly 
worship  thy  most  holy  infant  body;  wre  venerate 


The  Feast  of  the  Nativity.  353 

the  sacred  swaddling-clothes  wherewith  they 
bound  thee,  the  sacred  cradle  wherein  they  laid 
thee,  and  we  bless  the  hour  and  the  moment 
when  thou  wast  born. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

9.  We  hail  thee,  beloved  child,  adorned  with 
every  virtue,  immeasurably  above  all  the  saints, 
and,  therefore,  worthy  Mother  of  the  Saviour  of 
the  world;  who,  made  fruitful  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
didst  bring  forth  the  Incarnate  Word. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 


PRAYER. 

Most  lovely  child,  who  by  thy  birth  hast  com¬ 
forted  the  world,  made  glad  the  heavens,  struck 
terror  into  hell,  brought  help  to  the  fallen,  con¬ 
solation  to  the  sad,  health  to  the  sick,  joy  to  all, 
we  pray  thee,  with  all  fervent  love,  be  thou  bom 
again  in  spirit  in  our  souls  through  thy  most  holy 
love;  renew  our  fervor  in  thy  service,  rekindle  in 
our  hearts  the  tire  of  thy  love,  and  bid  all  virtues 
blossom  there  which  may  cause  us  to  find  more 
and  more  favor  in  thy  gracious  eyes.  Mary!  be 
thou  Mary  to  us,  and  may  we  feel  the  saving 
power  of  thy  sweetest  name;  let  it  ever  be  our 
comfort  to  call  on  that  great  name  in  all  our 
troubles;  let  it  be  our  hope  in  danger's,  our  shield 
in  temptation,  and  in  death  our  last  murmur. 


354 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


May  the  name  of  Mary  be  honey  in  onr  mouths, 
melody  in  our  ears,  ecstasy  in  our  hearts.  Amen. 

Then  say  the  Litany,  and  afterward: 

V.  Thy  nativity,  0  Virgin  Mother  of  God! 

B.  Hath  brought  joy  to  a  whole  world. 

Let  us  Pray. 

Grant  to  us,  Thy  servants,  we  beseech  Thee, 
Lord,  the  gift  of  heavenly  grace,  that  to  those 
for  whom  the  delivery  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  was 
the  commencement  of  salvation  the  votive  festi- 
val  of  her  nativity  may  give  increasing  peace. 
Amen. 

For  making  the  above  novena  an  indulgence  of 
three  hundred  days  each  time,  and  a  plenary  in¬ 
dulgence  on  any  day  during  the  novena  or  its  oc¬ 
tave. — Pius  IX.,  J an.  5,  1849. 

MEDITATIONS  FOR  THE  FEAST.  | 

Before  the  birth  of  Mary  the  world  was  lost  in 
the  darkness  of  sin.  “  Mary  was  born  and  the 
dawn  arose,”  says  a  holy  Father.  Of  Mary  it  had  • 
alre'ady  been  said:  Who  is  she  that  cometh  forth  as 
the  morning  rising ?  (Cant.  vi.  9.)  As  the  earth 
rejoices  when  the  dawn  appears,  because  it  is  the 
precursor  of  the  sun,  so  also  when  Mary  was  born 
the  whole  world  rejoiced,  because  she  was  the  pre- 


The  Feast  of  the  Nativity. 


355 


cursor  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Sun  of  Justice,  who 
being  made  her  Son,  came  to  save  us  by  his  death; 
hence  the  Church  sings,  “  Thy  nativity,  0  Virgin 
Mother  of  God,  announced  joy  to  the  whole  world; 
for  from  thee  arose  the  Sun  of  Justice,  who  has 
given  us  life  eternal."  So  that  when  Mary  was 
horn,  our  remedy,  our  consolation,  and  our  sal¬ 
vation  came  into  the  world;  for  through  Mary  we 
received  Our  Saviour. 

ii.  » 

This  child  being,  then,  destined  to  become  the 
Mother  of  the  Eternal  Word,  God  enriched  her 
with  so  great  grace  that  in  the  first  moment  of 
her  Immaculate  Conception  her  sanctity  exceeded 
that  of  all  the  saints  and  angels  together,  for  she 
received  grace  of  a  higher  order — one  that  cor¬ 
responded  to  the  dignity  of  Mother  of  God. 

0  holy  child!  0  full  of  grace!  I,  miserable  sin¬ 
ner  that  I  am,  salute  and  adore  thee.  Thou  art 
the  beloved  one,  the  delight  of  God;  pity  me,  who 
on  account  of  my  sins  have  been  hateful  and 
abominable  in  his  sight.  Thou,  0  most  pure  Vir¬ 
gin,  knewest  from  thy  very  childhood  so  well  how 
to  gain  the  heart  of  God,  that  he  never  did  and 
never  will  refuse  thee  anything,  and  grants  thee 
all  that  thou  askest.  My  hopes  are  therefore  in 


356  Practices  of  Devotion. 

thee;  recommend  me  to  thy  Son,,  and  I  shall  be 
saved. 

hi. 

0 

When  Mary  was  destined  to  he  the  Mother  of 
God,  she  was  also  destined  to  become  the  medi- 
atress  between  God  and  sinners.  Hence  the 
angelic  St.  Thomas  says  “  that  Mary  received  suf¬ 
ficient  grace  to  save  all  men,”  and  therefore  St. 
Bernard  calls  her  “  a  full  aqueduct,  that  of  her 
plenitude  we  all  may  partake.” 

i 

Example. 

At  Courtrai,  in  Flanders,  there  was  a  criminal 
who  had  been  condemned  to  death ;  but  he  was  ob¬ 
stinate,  and  refused  to  make  his  confession.  A 
Jesuit  Father  did  all  he  could  to  convert  him.  This 
good  Father  entreated  him,  wept,  cast  himself  at  his 
feet;  but  seeing  that  all  was  time  lost,  he  at  length 
said,  “  How  let  us  recite  a  Hail  Mary  together.” 
The  criminal  did  so,  and  in  an  instant  began  to 
weep  bitterly,  confessed  his  sins  with  great  com¬ 
punction,  and  desired  to  die  clasping  an  image  of 
Mary  in  his  arms. 

Prayer  of  the  Venerable  Louis  Blosius. 

Hail  Mary,  hope  of  those  who  are  in  despair,  help 
of  the  destitute!  Hail,  thou  whom  thy  Son  so 
greatly  honors,  that  whatever  thou  askest,  thou  dost 
at  once  obtain ;  whatever  thou  wiliest  is  at  once  done. 
To  thee  are  the  treasures  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven 
intrusted.  Grant,  O  Lady,  that  amid  the  storms  of 
this  life  I  may  always  remember  thee.  To  thy  char- 


The  Rosary  and  its  Feast. 


357 


itable  mercy  I  commend  my  soul  and  body.  0  my 
sweet  protectress,  direct  and  protect  me  in  every 
hour,  in  every  moment  of  my  life.  Amen. 

THE  ROSARY  AYD  ITS  FEAST. 

(Feast  on  the  first  Sunday  in  October.) 

HISTORICAL  EXPLANATION. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  devotion  of  the  most 
holy  Rosary  was  revealed  to  St.  Dominic  by  the 
divine  Mother  herself  in  the  year  1206,  when 
the  saint  was  in  affliction,  and  bewailing, 
with  his  Sovereign  Lady,  over  the  Albigen- 
sian  heretics,  who  were  at  that  time  doing 
great  mischief  to  the  Church.  The  Blessed 
Virgin  said  to  him:  “  This  land  will  always 
be  sterile  until  rain  falls  on  it.”  St.  Domi¬ 
nic  was  then  given  to  understand  that  this  rain 
was  the  devotion  of  the  Rosary,  which  he  was  to 
propagate.  This  the  saint  indeed  did,  and  it  was 
embraced  by  all  Catholics;  so  much  so  that,  even 
to  the  present  day,  there  is  no  devotion  so  gener¬ 
ally  practised  by  the  faithful  of  all  classes  as  that 
of  the  Rosary.  It  has  the  approval  of  the  Church, 
and  the  Sovereign  Pontiffs  have  enriched  it  with 
indulgences  to  spur  the  faithful  to  its  frequent 


358 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


practice.  Benedict  XIII.,  on  April  13,  1726, 
granted  an  indulgence  of  one  hundred  days  for 
every  “  Our  Father  ”  and  every  “  Hail  Mary  ”  to 
all  the  faithful  who,  with  devotion  and  at  least 
contrite  heart,  shall  say  either  the  whole  Bosary 
of  fifteen  decades,  or  a  third  part  of  it,  that  is 
five  decades.  And  if  they  recite  the  whole  or  at 
least  five  decades  for  every  day  for  a  year,  they 
can  gain  a  plenary  indulgence  on  any  day  of  their 
choice  after  confession  and  Communion. 

To  gain  these  indulgences,  we  must  have  a 
rosary  that  has  been  blessed  by  a  priest  who  has 
the  power  to  bless  it;  and  in  reciting  it  we  must 
meditate  on  the  mysteries  of  the  birth,  the  Pas¬ 
sion,  and  the  resurrection  of  Our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  in  the  following  order  for  the  fifteen  dec¬ 
ades,  each  composed  of  one  “  Our  Father,”  ten 
“  Hail  Marys,”  and  one  “  Glory  be  to  the  Father:” 

Joyful  mysteries:  The  annunciation,  the  visita¬ 
tion,  the  birth,  the  presentation  of  Jesus  in  the 
Temple,  the  finding  of  Jesus  in  the  Temple. 

Sorrowful  mysteries:  The  sufferings  of  Jesus  in 
the  garden,  the  scourging,  the  crowning  with 
thorns,  the  carrying  of  the  cross,  the  crucifixion. 

Glorious  mysteries:  The  resurrection,  the  ascen¬ 
sion,  the  coming  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  assump¬ 
tion  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  her  coronation  in 
heaven. 


The  Rosary  and  its  Feast. 


359 


When  we  recite  only  five  decades,  we  meditate 
according  to  our  devotion  on  the  joyful,  the  sor¬ 
rowful,  or  the  glorious  mysteries;  those  who  are 
unable  to  meditate  on  these  divine  mysteries  may 
gain  the  indulgence  by  merely  saying  the  Eosary 
devoutly. 

The  faithful  who  are  members  of  the  Con¬ 
fraternity  of  the  holy  Rosary  can  gain  many  other 
indulgences,  either  by  reciting  the  Eosary,  or  by 
performing  other  good  works. 

His  Holiness  Pius  IX.,  to  encourage  devotion  to 
the  Blessed  Virgin,  especially  through  the  Eosary, 
in  the  recitation  of  which  the  mysteries  of  our 
Redemption  are  also  considered,  in  May,  1851, 
confirmed  all  indulgences  granted  by  his  prede¬ 
cessors  and  added  besides  an  indulgence  of  ten 
years  and  ten  times  forty  days  to  those  who  recite 
the  Rosary  of  five  decades  either  in  public,  in 
private,  or  in  company  with  others.  And  if  per¬ 
sons  have  the  habit  of  thus  reciting  it  at  least 
three  times  a  week  they  can  gain  a  'plenary  in¬ 
dulgence  on  the  last  Sunday  of  every  month,  pro¬ 
vided  on  that  day  after  confession  and  Communion 
they  visit  a  church  or  a  public  oratory  and  pray 
there  for  some  time  for  the  intention  of  his  Holi¬ 
ness. 

These  different  indulgences  are  applicable  to  the 
souls  in  purgatory. 


360  Practices  of  Devotion . 

Here  we  may  call  to  mind  what  the  Blessed 
Virgin  said  to  St.  Eulalia,  “  that  she  was  better 
pleased  with  five  decades  said  slowly  and  devoutly 
than  with  fifteen  said  in  a  hurry  and  with  little 
devotion/’  It  is,  therefore,  well  to  say  the  Rosary 
kneeling,  before  an  image  of  Mary;  and,  before 
each  decade,  to  make  an  act  of  love  to  Jesus  and 
Mary,  and  ask  them  for  some  particular  grace. 
It  is  also  preferable  to  say  it  with  others  rather 
than  alone. 

It  was  on  the  day  of  the  celebration  of  the 
Feast  of  the  Rosary,  October  7,  1571,  that  the 
great  victory  of  Lepanto  was  won.  Don  John  of 
Austria,  under  the  protection  of  the  powerful 
Queen  of  the  Rosary,  defeated  the  Turkish  army 
and  effectually  checked  the  Mohammedan  pres¬ 
tige  in  Europe.  The  Turks  under  Selim  II.,  the 
son  of  the  terrible  Suleiman,  had  gathered  their 
forces  for  the  final  overpowering  of  Christianity. 
They  had  250  large  ships  and  many  smaller  ones, 
manned  by  120,000  sailors  and  soldiers  who  had 
the  reputation  of  being  unconquerable  and  had 
thus  far  been  unconquered.  The  Christians  had 
but  80,000  men  and  300  ships.  Nevertheless  they 
succeeded  in  sinking  210  Turkish  vessels,  with  a 
loss  of  only  15  galleys  of  their  own.  So  great 
and  beneficent  a  victory,  won  on  a  day  when  all 
the  Christian  world  was  keeping  holy  the  Feast 


. 


The  Rosary  and  its  Feast. 


361 


of  the  Rosary  by  public  processions  and  prayers 
and  asking  that  the  Mohammedan  peril  be  turned 
back  from  Europe,  was  rightfully  considered  to  be 
due  to  the  protection  and  intercession  of  Mary. 
Pius  V.  therefore  appointed  a  special  day  of 
thanksgiving  to  Our  Lady  of  Victory.  Gregory 
XIII.  confirmed  it  and  ordered  also  that  in  future 
in  all  churches  where  there  is  a  chapel  or  an  altar 
dedicated  to  the  Rosary  the  Feast  of  the  Rosary 
should  be  celebrated  on  the  first  Sunday  in  Octo¬ 
ber,  which  order  Clement  X.  extended  to  all 
churches  in  Spain. 

When  Charles  VI.  defeated  180,000  Turks  at 
Temeswar  in  Hungary,  on  the  Feast  of  Mary  of 
the  Snows,  while  almost  at  the  same  time  a  con¬ 
fraternity  of  the  holy  Rosary  was  entreating  the 
favor  of  heaven  by  a  public  procession  in  Rome 
and  moreover  the  Turkish  siege  of  Corfu  was 

raised  in  the  octave  of  the  Feast  of  the  Assump- 

* 

tion,  Pope  Clement  XI.  was  moved  to  ascribe 
these  wonderful  victories  to  the  protection  of  the 
Blessed  AXrgin  also.  He  thereupon  issued  a  bull 
ordering  that  henceforth  the  Feast  of  the  Rosary 
should  be  kept  in  all  the  churches  of  Christen¬ 
dom  to  inflame  the  hearts  of  the  faithful  with 
gratitude  towards  the  Blessed  Virgin  so  that  the 
memory  of  the  help  received  through  her  may 
never  be  forgotten. 


362 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Pope  Benedict  XIII.  ordered  that  all  these 
things  should  be  included  in  the  Roman  breviary. 
Thus  encouraged  by  the  Church,  the  people  have 
taken  up  this  mode  of  prayer,  carry  their  heads 
with  them,  and  often  use  them  in  preference  to 
a  prayer-book.  Pope  Leo  XIII.  has  made  the 
Rosary  his  special  devotion,  and  has  year  after 
year  called  the  attention  of  the  people  to  it.  The 
Rosary  is  the  holiest  of  the  devotions,  for  it  is  the 
life  of  Our  Lord  and  the  Blessed  Virgin.  It  is 
the  most  consoling  prayer,  for  through  the  merits 
of  Jesus  Christ  and  the  intercession  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  we  will  obtain  eternal  salvation. 
St.  Francis  de  Sales  in  his  hard  apostolic  labors 
found  time  to  recite  the  entire  Rosary  every  day. 

St.  Alphonsus  Rodriguez  found  in  the  beads 
and  the  meditation  made  during  their  recitation 
all  instruction  in  Christian  perfection. 

In  all  our  necessities  we  can  recite  the  beads 
and  ask  God’s  assistance  through  Mary,  Queen  of 
the  holy  Rosary. 


Example. 

About  twenty  years  ago  there  lived  in  the  south 
of  Italy  a  lawyer,  Signor  Bartolo  Longo,  who,  far 
from  being  a  saint,  had  forsaken  his  religion  and 
indulged  in  spiritualism  and  magnetism.  But  dur¬ 
ing  the  month  of  October,  1872,  he  was  miraculously 
struck  by  divine  grace  on  the  very  spot  on  which 


The  Rosary  and  its  Feast.  363 

afterwards  arose  the  sanctuary  of  Our  Lady  of 
Pompeii. 

One  day  he  was  wandering  alone  in  a  wild  spot 
in  the  valley  of  Pompeii,  meditating  on  the  best  way 
to  atone  for  his  sins,  to  find  again  the  peace  and 
happiness  of  the  days  when  he  was  still  true  to  his 
religion,  when  suddenly  he  heard  a  sweet  voice  say¬ 
ing  to  him :  “  Wilt  thou  find  peace  again  ?  Spread 
my  Rosary,  for  whoever  propagates  the  devotion  of 
the  Rosary  shall  never  perish.”  He  answered :  “  If 
thy  promise  is  sure,  I  am  saved,  and  I  am  happy 
once  more,  for  I  shall  spread  thy  Rosary.” 

He  set  about  to  spread  the  devotion  to  the  holy 
Rosary  of  Our  Lady  of  Pompeii,  and  in  less  than 
twenty  years,  on  the  very  spot  where  he  had  heard 
the  voice,  there  stood,  commenced  by  poor  peasants, 
finished,  thanks  to  the  offerings  of  the  entire  world, 
the  sanctuary  which  Pope  Leo  XIII.  has  taken  under 
his  special  patronage.  Thousands  of  pilgrims  from 
all  parts  of  the  world  go  there  every  year  to  venerate 
the  picture  of  Our  Lady  which  is  there,  framed  in 
gold  and  precious  stones.  The  Holy  Father  has  at¬ 
tached  numerous  privileges  to  this  sanctuary,  and 
many  wonderful  graces  have  been  obtained  and  many 
miracles  performed. 

Prayer  of  St.  Bernard. 

To  thee  we  cry,  O  Queen  of  mercy!  return,  that 
we  may  behold  thee  dispensing  favors,  bestowing 
remedies,  giving  strength.  Show  us  thy  compas¬ 
sionate  looks,  and  we  shall  be  saved. 

0  sovereign  Lady  of  all  things,  Saint  of  saints, 
our  strength  and  refuge,  God,  as  it  were,  of  the 
world,  glory  of  heaven,  accept  those  who  love  thee; 
hear  us,  for  thy  Son  honors  thee  and  denies  thee 
nothing. 


364 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Thou  art,  O  Mary !  a  field  filled  with  treasures. 
Thou  art  full  of  virtues,  full  of  graces.  The  enemy 
of  salvation  was  never  able  to  hurt  thee,  finding  thee 
always  surrounded  by  impenetrable  bucklers,  and 
fortified  with  all  the  arms  that  he  feared.  Thou 
alone  didst  possess  all  the  perfections  and  all  the 
merits  of  all  the  saints  united.  O  our  sovereign 
Lady  and  our  Advocate,  commend  us  to  thy  Son. 
Grant,  O  blessed  one,  by  the  grace  which  thou  hast 
merited,  that  he  who  through  thee  was  graciously 
pleased  to  become  a  partaker  of  our  infirmity  and 
misery,  may  also,  through  thy  intercession  make 
us  partakers  of  his  happiness  and  glory. 

COYFRATERYITY  OF  THE  ROSARY. 

The  object  of  this  Confraternity  is  to  recite  the 
Rosary  of  the  Pdessed  Virgin.  To  gain  the  indul¬ 
gences  the  members  must  recite  the  whole  Rosary 
at  least  once  a  week,  meditate  on  the  mysteries, 
and  carry  beads  that  have  been  blessed.  If  pos¬ 
sible  one  should  join  a  Rosary  society,  for  in  a 
society  more  benefits  are  gained  than  in  offering 
petitions  alone.  Besides  many  of  the  indul¬ 
gences  granted  to  the  Rosary  were  granted  in 
view  of  the  united  prayers  of  the  members  of  the 
society. 

Indulgences. — Plenary,  on  reception,  at  the  hour 
of  death,  on  the  first  Sunday  of  the  month, 
on  the  third  Sunday  of  April,  Easter,  Ascen¬ 
sion,  Pentecost,  Trinity,  Corpus  Christi,  Christ¬ 
mas,  Patronal  Feast  of  the  Church,  Sunday  after 


The  Living  Rosary. 


365 


Assumption,  Nativity  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  and 
Good  Friday,  and  on  all  the  Feasts  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  if  they  visit  a  chapel  of  the  Kosary.  All 
the  indulgences  of  the  Stations  of  Borne,  by  visit¬ 
ing  five  altars  in  the  church  of  the  Kosary,  or  if 
hut  one,  that  altar  five  times.  Many  partial  indul¬ 
gences. 

N.B. — The  faithful,  generally,  on  the  usual 
conditions,  gain  a  plenary  indulgence  in  the 
church  or  chapel  of  the  Bosary  on  Sundays  in 
Lent,  Easter,  Pentecost,  Trinity,  Corpus  Christi, 
first  Sunday  of  October,  and  feasts  of  St.  Dominic, 
St.  Thomas  Aquinas,  St.  Vincent  Ferrer,  and 
other  saints  of  the  Dominican  order. 


THE  LIVING  ROSAKY. 

The  Living  Bosary  is  formed  by  bands  or  circles 
consisting  each  of  fifteen  persons,  who,  every 
month,  divide  among  themselves  the  fifteen  mys¬ 
teries  of  the  Dominican  Bosarv,  so  that  each 
member  will  daily  recite  for  a  month  a  decade  in 
honor  of  the  mystery  allotted  to  him. 

It  is  the  duty  of  a  member  to  recite  daily  one 
“  Our  Father,”  ten  “  Hail  Marys  ”  with  a  “  Glory 
be  to  the  Father,”  while  meditating  on  the  mys¬ 
tery  that  fell  to  his  lot  for  the  current  month. 

In  order  that  the  members  may  be  enabled  to 


366 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


recite  their  respective  decades  in  the  right  manner 
so  as  to  gain  the  graces,  benefits,  and  privileges  of 
the  Living  Eosary,  they  must  remember  that  this 
duty  comprises  three  distinct  parts,  viz.,  oral 
prayer,  meditation,  and  the  nse  of  blessed  beads. 
The  first  is,  as  it  were,  the  body;  the  second,  the 
soul  of  this  devotion;  while  the  third  is  like  the 
signs  on  the  way  along  which  it  moves.  The  fol¬ 
lowing  are  the  main  points  to  he  observed  in  each 
part: 

Oral  Prayer. — The  decade  begins  with  the  “  Our 
Father,”  continues  with  ten  “  Hail  Marys,”  and 
ends  with  the  “  Glory  he  to  the  Father.”  Ho 
other  prayers  need  he  said,  nor  may  others  he 
said  instead.  Custom,  however,  has  made  it  a 
rule  that  persons  to  whom  the  first  joyful  mystery 
ms  allotted  recite,  moreover,  the  “  Creed,”  “  Our 
Father,”  and  three  a  Hail  Marys  ”  (to  ask  for  the 
divine  virtues  of  faith,  hope,  and  charity)  before 
their  decade.  It  is  not  enough  to  say  this  prayer 
mentally,  going  through  the  decade  in  the  mind 
only;  hut  the  words  must  be  clearly  and  distinctly 
pronounced  with  the  lips.  Still,  to  let  some 
words  or  a  few  “  Hail  Marys  ”  slip  would  not 
make  one  lose  the  indulgences.  The  prayer  may 
he  said  in  any  respectful  posture;  it  is  not  neces¬ 
sary  to  kneel. 

The  Meditation. — To  gain  the  indulgences  one 


The  Living  Rosary. 


367 


must  meditate  on  the  mystery  of  his  decade,  not 
on  any  other.  To  meditate  means  here  that  he 
must  with  his  thoughts  dwell  on  the  history, 
event,  or  fact  of  that  mystery;  turn  it  over  in  his 
mind;  look  in  his  mind  at  the  persons  concerned 
in  the  mystery,  see  their  actions,  hear  their 
words,  guess  their  thoughts  and  feelings,  no¬ 
tice  their  surroundings  and  places,  and  ask 
himself  what  all  that  means.  Then  he  should 
try  to  excite  in  his  heart  suitable  and  proper  sen¬ 
timents  and  acts  of  faith,  hope,  charity,  gratitude,, 
contrition,  humility,  fear  of  God,  and  make  good 
resolutions,  to  be  kept  with  the  help  of  God.  All 
this,  however,  is  done  in  the  mind,  in  the  soul 
only;  it  is  not  to  be  spoken  in  words.  Again,  no 
special  time  is  needed  for  it,  as  it  can  be  made 
wdrile  reciting  the  “  Hail  Marys, ”  by  simply  think¬ 
ing  of  the  mystery  and  keeping  it  present  before 
the  mind. 

Involuntary  or  only  a  few  wTilful  and  short  dis¬ 
tractions  do  not  deprive  one  of  the  indulgences;; 
but  frequent  and  long  voluntary  distractions  do 
certainly  diminish  the  merit  and  fruits  of  the  de¬ 
votion  and  endanger  the  indulgences. 

The  Beads. — Members  reciting  their  decade 
must  hold  in  their  hands  a  Eosary  blessed  with 
the  special  Dominican  formula  by  a  priest  who  has. 
the  requisite  faculty.  When  several  persons  recite 


368 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


a  decade  or  more  together,  it  is  enough  that  one  of 
them  have  a  blessed  Rosary  in  his  hand.  This 
Rosary  must  have  five  or  ten  or  fifteen  decades, 
not  more  nor  less,  as  the  indulgence  oji  the  Domin¬ 
ican  Rosary  cannot  he  attached  to  Rosaries  of 
three,  six,  seven,  or  only  one  decade.  The  beads 
must  be  solid  and  strong,  so  as  not  to  break  easily 
or  to  wear  away. 

Blessed  Rosaries  lose  the  blessing  and  indul¬ 
gences  by  the  death  of  their  owner;  by  being  given 
away  (unless  one  had  them  blessed  for  others,  or 
with  the  intention  of  afterwards  giving  them 
away,  in  which  case  one  may  not  use  them  first 
himself),  sold,  exchanged,  or  lent  to  another  with 
the  intention  that  he  shall  gain  the  indulgences 
attached  (but  not  when  lent  and  borrowed  only  in 
order  to  count  the  “  Hail  Marys”);  also  where  a 
good  number,  say  ten  or  more,  of  the  grains  of 
beads  are  lost  or  taken  off  without  being  supplied 
bv  new  ones. 

The  blessing  and  indulgences  are  not  lost  by  a 
breakage  (intentional  or  accidental)  of  the  string: 
by  the  loss  of  a  few  beads;  by  replacing  some  bead 
in  the  wrong  decade;  nor  by  having  some  other 
indulgences  attached  to  the  same  Rosary.  Broken 
or  lost  grains  may  be  replaced  by  new  ones  without 
the  Rosary  losing  the  blessing  if  the  new  beads  are 
less  in  number  than  the  remaining  old  ones. 


.  M 


The  Living  Rosary. 


369 


The  cross  or  the  crucifix  and  the  three  or  four 
extra  heads  are  not  necessary;  their  loss  does  not 
impair  the  blessing.  Special  indulgences,  distinct 
from  those  of  the  Rosary,  may  be  attached  to  that 
cross  or  crucifix. 

It  is  a  beautiful  custom  to  have  a  devotion  in 
common  (in  the  church,  chapel,  school,  or  in  a 
hall)  on  Sundays  and  special  feast-days.  The  as¬ 
sembled  members  recite  in  common  either  a 
chaplet  (five  decades)  or  the  whole  Rosary  (fifteen 
decades);  sing  hymns  of  the  mystery  of  the  feast, 
or  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  or  of  the  saint  of  the  day. 
Other  prayers  (litanies)  in  harmony  with  the  char¬ 
acter  of  the  feast  may  also  be  said. 

PRIVILEGES  AND  INDULGENCES. 

Community  of  Spiritual  Goods. — Members  of 
the  Living  Rosary  have  part  in  all  the  good  works 
(Masses,  functions,  and  works  of  the  ministry, 
vigils,  fasts,  penances,  works  of  corporal  and 
spiritual  mercy)  and  merits  of  the  whole  Domin¬ 
ican  order. 

Partial  Indulgences. — To  gain  these  it  is  neces¬ 
sary  to  say  the  prayers  prescribed  while  using  a 
blessed  Rosary. 

By  daily  reciting  the  monthly  decade:  one  hun¬ 
dred  days  on  every  week  day;  seven  years  and 
seven  times  forty  days  on  all  Sundays  and  holy- 


370  Practices  of  Devotion. 

days,  also  the  suppressed  ones,  and  during  the  oc¬ 
taves  (that  is,  the  next  seven  days)  of  Christmas, 
Easter,  Pentecost,  Corpus  Christi;  the  Assump¬ 
tion,  Nativity,  and  Immaculate  Conception  of  the 
B.  V.  M. 

For  every  “  Our  Father  ”  and  for  every  “  Hail 
Mary”:  one  hundred  days. 

Plenary  Indulgences. — These  may  all  be  applied 
to  the  souls  in  purgatory.  Confession  and  holy 
Communion,  and  some  prayers  for  the  intention  of 
the  Holy  Father,  are  required  in  each  case.  Those 
who  go  weekly  to  the  sacraments  can  gain  all  the 
plenary  indulgences  falling  within  the  week,  with¬ 
out  extra  confession,  provided  they  are  in  the  state 
of  grace. 

MEDITATIONS  FOE  THE  EOSARY. 

THE  FIVE  JOYFUL  MYSTERIES. 

I.  The  Annunciation. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery  how  the 
angel  Gabriel  saluted  our  blessed  Lady  with  the 
title  “  full  of  grace,”  and  declared  unto  her  the 
Incarnation  of  Our  Lord  and  .Saviour  Jesus 
Christ. 

Our  Father,  ten  Hail  Marys,  Glory  be  to  the 
Father. 


The  Living  Rosary. 


371 


PRAYER. 

0  holy  Mary,  Queen  of  virgins,  through  the 
most  high  mystery  of  the  Incarnation  of  thy  be¬ 
loved  Son,  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  wherein  our 
salvation  was  begun,  obtain  for  us,  through  thy 
most  holy  intercession,  light  to  understand  the 
greatness  of  the  benefit  he  hath  bestowed  upon 
us,  in  vouchsafing  to  become  our  Brother,  and 
giving  thee,  his  own  beloved  Mother,  to  be  our 
Mother  also.  Amen. 


IIV  The  Visitation. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery  how  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  understanding  from  the  an¬ 
gel  that  her  cousin  St.  Elizabeth  had  conceived, 
went  with  haste  into  the  mountains  of  Judea  to 
visit  her,  bearing  her  divine  Son  within  her 
womb,  and  remained  with  her  three  months. 

Our  Father,  etc. 

PRAYER. 

0  holy  Virgin,  most  spotless  mirror  of  humil¬ 
ity,  by  that  exceeding  charity  which  moved  thee 
to  visit  thy  holy  cousin  St.  Elizabeth,  obtain  for 
us,  through  thine  intercession,  that  our  hearts 
being  visited  by  thy  divine  Son,  and  freed  from 
all  sin,  we  may  praise  and  give  thanks  to  him 
forever.  Amen. 


372 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


III.  The  Birth  of  Christ  Our  Saviour 
in  Bethlehem. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery  how  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  when  the  time  of  her  de¬ 
livery  was  come,  brought  forth  Our  Bedeemer, 
Jesus  Christ,  at  midnight,  and  laid  him  in  a 
manger,  because  there  was  no  room  for  him  in 
the  inns  at  Bethlehem. 

Our  Father,  etc. 

PRAYER. 

0  most  pure  Mother  of  God,  through  thy  vir¬ 
ginal  and  most  joyful  delivery,  whereby  thou 
gavest  to  the  world  thy  only  Son,  Our  Saviour, 
we  beseech  thee  obtain  for  us,  through  thine  in¬ 
tercession,  the  grace  to  lead  such  pure  and  holy 
lives  in  this  world  that  we  may  become  worthy 
to  sing  without  ceasing  the  mercies  of  thy  Son, 
and  his  benefits  to  us  by  thee.  Amen. 

IV.  The  Presentation  of  our  Blessed  Lord 

in  the  Temple. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery  how  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  on  the  day  of  her  purifica¬ 
tion,  presented  the  Child  Jesus  in  the  Temple, 
where  holy  Simeon,  giving  thanks  to  God,  with 
great  devotion  received  him  into  his  arms. 

Our  Father,  etc. 


The  Living  Rosary. 


373 


PRAYER. 

0  holy  Virgin,  most  admirable  mistress  and 
pattern  of  obedience,  who  didst  present  the  Lord 
of  the  Temple  in  the  Temple  of  God,  obtain  for 
ns,  of  thy  blessed  Son,  that,  with  holy  Simeon  and 
devout  Anna,  we  may  praise  and  glorify  him  for¬ 
ever.  Amen. 

V.  The  Finding  of  the  Child  Jesus  in 

the  Temple. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery  how  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  after  having  lost  (through 
no  fault  of  hers)  her  beloved  Son  in  Jerusalem, 
sought  him  for  the  space  of  three  days,  and  at 
length  found  him  in  the  Temple,  sitting  in  the 
midst  of  the  doctors,  hearing  them  and  asking 
them  questions,  being  of  the  age  of  twelve  years. 

Our  Father,  etc. 

PRAYER. 

0  most  blessed  Virgin,  more  than  martyr  in 
thy  sufferings,  and  yet  the  comfort  of  such  as  are 
afflicted,  by  that  unspeakable  joy  wherewith  thy 
soul  was  filled  when  at  length  thou  didst  find  thy 
well-beloved  Son  in  the  Temple,  teaching  in  the 
midst  of  the  doctors,  obtain  of  him  that  we  may 
so  seek  him  and  find  him  in  his  holy  Catholic 


374  Practices  of  Devotion. 

Church  as  nevermore  to  be  separated  from  him. 
Amen. 


THE  SALYE  REGINA. 

Hail,,  holy  Queen,  Mother  of  mercy,  etc.  (See 
page  189.) 

V.  Make  me  worthy  to  praise  thee,  holy  Virgin. 

R.  Give  me  strength  against  thine  enemies. 

V.  Blessed  be  God  in  his  saints. 

R.  Amen. 

Then  say  the  following  prayers : 

Hear,  0  merciful  God,  the  prayer  of  Thy  ser¬ 
vants,  that  we  who  meet  together  in  the  society 
of  the  most  holy  Rosary  of  the  Blessed  Virgin, 
Mother  of  God,  may,  through  her  intercession, 
be  delivered  by  Thee  from  the  dangers  that  con¬ 
tinually  hang  over  us;  through  the  merits  of  Our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 

0  God,  whose  only-begotten  Son,  by  his  life, 
death,  and  resurrection,  hath  laid  open  to  us  the 
rewards  of  everlasting  life,  grant,  we  beseech 
Thee,  that,  pondering  in  our  hearts  these  mys¬ 
teries  in  the  most  holy  Rosary  of  the  Blessed  Vir¬ 
gin  Mary,  we  may  imitate  what  they  set  forth, 
and  obtain  what  they  promise;  through  the  same 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


The  Living  Rosary. 


375 


THE  FIVE  SORROWFUL  MYSTERIES. 

I.  The  Prayer  and  Bloody  Sweat  of  our 

Blessed  Saviour  in  the  Garden. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery  how  Our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  was  so  afflicted  for  us  in  the 
Garden  of  Gethsemani  that  his  body  was  bathed 
in  a  bloody  sweat,  which  ran  down  in  great  drops 
to  the  ground. 

Our  Father,  etc. 

PRAYER. 

0  most  holy  Virgin,  more  than  martyr,  by  that 
ardent  prayer  which  our  beloved  Saviour  poured 
forth  to  his  heavenly  Father  in  the  Garden, 
vouchsafe  to  intercede  for  us,  that  our  passions 
being  reduced  to  the  obedience  of  reason,  we  may 
always,  and  in  all  things,  conform  and  subject 
ourselves  to  the  holy  will  of  God.  Amen. 

II.  The  Scourging  of  our  Blessed  Lord  at 

the  Pillar. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery  how  Our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  was  most  cruelly  scourged  in 
Pilate’s  house,  the  number  of  stripes  they  gave 
him  being  about  five  thousand. 

Our  Father,  etc. 


i 


376 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


PRAYER. 

0  Mother  of  God,  overflowing  fountain  of  pa¬ 
tience,  through  those  stripes  thy  only  and  much- 
beloved  Son  vouchsafed  to  suffer  for  us,  obtain  of 
him  for  us  grace  to  mortify  our  rebellious  senses, 
to  avoid  the  occasion  of  sin,  and  to  be  ready  to 
suffer  everything  rather  than  offend  God.  Amen. 

III.  The  Crowning  of  our  Blessed  Saviour 

with  Thorns. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery  how  those 
cruel  ministers  of  Satan  platted  a  crown  of  sharp 
thorns  and  cruelly  pressed  it  on  the  sacred  head 
of  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Our  Father,  etc. 

PRAYER. 

0  Mother  of  our  eternal  Prince,  the  King 
of  glory,  by  those  sharp  thorns  wherewith  his 
sacred  head  was  pierced,  we  beseech  thee,  obtain, 
through  thy  intercession,  that  we  may  be  deliv¬ 
ered  from  all  notions  of  pride,  and  escape  that 
shame  which  our  sins  deserve  at  the  day  of  judg¬ 
ment.  Amen. 

IV.  Jesus  Carrying  His  Cross. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery  how  Our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  being  sentenced  to  die,  bore. 


The  Living  Rosary. 


377 


with  the  most  amazing  patience,  the  cross  which 
was  laid  upon  him  for  his  greater  torment  and 
ignominy. 

Our  Father,  etc. 

PRAYER. 

0  holy  Virgin,  example  of  patience,  by  the 
most  painful  carrying  of  the  cross,  in  which  thy 
Son,  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  bore  the  heavy 
weight  of  our  sins,  obtain  for  us  of  him,  through 
thine  intercession,  courage  and  strength  to  follow 
his  steps,  and  bear  our  cross  after  him  to  the  end 
of  our  lives.  Amen. 

V.  The  Crucifixion  op  Our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery  how  Our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  being  come  to  Mount  Calvary, 
was  stripped  of  his  clothes,  and  his  hands  and  feet 
nailed  to  the  cross,  in  the  presence  of  his  most 
afflicted  Mother. 

Our  Father,  etc. 

PRAYER. 

0  holy  Mary,  Mother  of  Cod,  as  the  body  of 
thy  beloved  Son  was  for  us  stretched  upon  the 
cross,  so  may  we  offer  up  our  souls  and  bodies  to 
he  crucified  with  him,  and  our  hearts  to  be 
pierced  with  grief  at  his  most  bitter  Passion;  and 


378 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


thou,  0  most  sorrowful  Mother,  graciously  vouch¬ 
safe  to  help  us,  by  thy  all-powerful  intercession, 
to  accomplish  the  work  of  our  salvation.  Amen. 

Salve  Regina  and  prayers,  as  before. 

THE  FIVE  GLORIOUS  MYSTERIES. 

I.  The  Resurrection  of  Our  Lord  from 

the  Dead. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery  how  Our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  triumphing  gloriously  over 
death,  rose  again  the  third  day,  immortal  and 
impassible. 

Our  Father,  etc. 

PRAYER. 

0  glorious  Virgin  Mary,  by  that  unspeakable 
joy  thou  didst  receive  in  the  resurrection  of  thy 
divine  Son  we  beseech  thee  obtain  for  us  of  him 
that  our  hearts  may  never  go  astray  after  the 
false  joys  of  this  world,  hut  may  he  forever  wholly 
employed  in  the  pursuit  of  the  only  true  and  solid 
joys  of  heaven.  Amen. 

II.  The  Ascension  of  Christ  into  Heaven. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery  how  Our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  forty  days  after  his  resurrec¬ 
tion,  ascended  into  heaven,  attended  by  angels, 
in  the  sight  and  to  the  great  admiration  of  his 


The  Living  Rosary.  379 

most  holy  Mother,  and  his  holy  Apostles  and  dis¬ 
ciples. 

Our  Father,-  etc. 

PRAYER. 

0  Mother  of  God,  Comfortress  of  the  afflicted,, 
as  thy  beloved  Son,  when  he  ascended  into 
heaven,  lifted  up  his  hands  and  blessed  his  Apos¬ 
tles  as  he  was  parted  from  them,  so  vouchsafe, 
most  holy  Mother,  to  lift  up  thy  pure  hands  to 
him  in  our  behalf  that  we  may  enjoy  the  benefits 
of  his  blessing,  and  of  thine,  here  on  earth  and 
hereafter  in  heaven.  Amen. 

III.  The  Descent  of  the  Holy  Ghost  on  the 

Apostles. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mvsterv  how  Our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  being  seated  on  the  right  hand 
of  God,  sent,  as  he  had  promised,  the  Holy  Ghost 
upon  his  Apostles,  who,  after  he  was  ascended, 
returning  to  Jerusalem,  continued  in  prayer  and 
supplication  with  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  ex¬ 
pecting  the  performance  of  his  promise. 

Our  Father,  etc. 

PRAYER. 

0  sacred  Virgin,  tabernacle  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
we  beseech  thee  obtain,  by  thine  intercession,  that 
this  most  sweet  Comforter,  whom  thy  beloved 


•380 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Son  sent  down  npon  his  Apostles,  filling  them 
thereby  with  spiritual  joy,  may  teach  us  in  this 
world  the  true  way  of  salvation,  and  make  us  to 
walk  in  the  path  of  virtue  and  good  works. 
Amen. 

IV.  The  Assumption  or  the  Blessed  Virgin 

Mary  into  Heaven. 

) 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery  how  the 
glorious  Virgin,  twelve  years  after  the  resurrec¬ 
tion  of  her  Son,  passed  out  of  this  world  unto 
him,  and  was  by  him  assumed  into  heaven,  ac¬ 
companied  by  the  holy  angels. 

Our  Father,  etc. 

PRAYER. 

0  most  prudent  Virgin,  who,  entering  the  heav¬ 
enly  palaces,  didst  fill  the  angels  with  joy  and 
man  with  hope,  vouchsafe  to  intercede  for  us  at 
the  hour  of  our  death,  that,  being  delivered  from 
the  illusions  and  temptations  of  the  devil,  we  may 
joyfully  and  securely  pass  out  of  this  temporal 
state,  to  enjoy  the  happiness  of  eternal  life. 
Amen. 

V.  The  Coronation  of  the  Most  Blessed 
Virgin  Mary  in  Heaven. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery  how  the 
glorious  Virgin  Mary  was,  to  the  great  jubilee  and 


The  Living  Rosary. 


381 


exultation  of  the  whole  court  of  heaven,  and  par¬ 
ticular  glory  of  all  the  saints,  crowned  by  her  Son 
with  the  brightest  diadem  of  glory. 

Our  Father,  etc. 


PRAYER. 

0  glorious  Queen  of  the  heavenly  host,  we  be¬ 
seech  thee  accept  this  Rosary,  which,  as  a  crown 
of  roses,  we  offer  at  thy  feet;  and  grant,  most 
gracious  Lady,  that,  by  thy  intercession,  our  souls 
may  be  inflamed  with  so  ardent  a  desire  of  seeing 
thee  so  gloriously  crowned,  that  it  may  never  die 
within  us  until  it  shall  be  changed  into  the  happy 
fruition  of  thy  blessed  sight.  Amen. 

Salve  Regina,  etc.,  as  before. 

CONSECRATION  TO  OUR  LADY  OF 

THE  ROSARY. 

(To  be  Renewed  Once  a  Week.) 

Permit  me,  0  immaculate  Virgin,  Queen  of 
the  holy  Rosary,  to  choose  thee  this  day  for  my 
mother,  my  patroness,  my  asylum,  my  refuge,  and 
my  protection.  I  wish  to  give  thee  my  heart, 
my  soul,  my  entire  being,  and,  after  God,  to  love 
thee  above  all  things.  Happy  he  who  conse¬ 
crates  to  thee  his  love.  Art  thou  not,  0  Blessed 
Virgin,  fairer  than  the  angels,  brighter  than  the 
stars,  more  brilliant  than  the  sun?  Art  thou  not 


i 


38  2 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


a  garden  of  delights?  Dost  thou  not  surpass  the 
lily  in  splendor?  Art  thou  not  a  perfumed 
flower,  a  fair  dove,  the  beloved  of  Jesus,  the  cher¬ 
ished  daughter,  the  mother  without  spot,  the 
spouse  chosen  among  a  thousand?  Who,  then, 
can  refuse  thee  his  heart?  1  give  thee,  then, 
mine,  because  thou  art  fair,  enriched  with  every 
grace,  and  filled  with  every  perfection.  I  give 
thee,  then,  mine,  0  Mary,  because  gratitude  urges 
me  to  it.  0  beloved  Mother!  deign  to  permit  me 
to  ask  thee  three  things:  First,  a  pure  heart  to 
love  thee  and  to  love  Jesus;  second,  that  I  mav  die 
on  a  day  that  will  be  consecrated  to  thee,  and 
in  pronouncing  perfect  acts  of  love;  third,  the 
grace  to  be  among  the  privileged  choir  who  in 
heaven,  at  the  foot  of  thy  throne,  will  sing  thy 
praises  forever. 

0  Mother  of  God  and  my  most  dear  Mother, 
by  the  Heart  of  Jesus  I  beg  of  thee  each  time  I 
shall  say  “  0  Mother  of  God,  remember  me!  ”  to 
adore  then  for  me  the  Heart  of  thy  divine  Son,- 
and  offer  my  unworthy  one  to  him,  asking  par¬ 
don  for  all  that  is  amiss  in  it — telling  that  God 
of  love  how  much  it  desires  perfectly  to  love 
him;  and  obtain  by  thy  powerful  intercession  a 
love  that  may  consume  in  it  all  earthly  affections, 
and  that  he  may  replenish  it  to  the  full  extent 
of  its  small  capacity. 


The  Living  Rosary. 


383 


This,  dear  Mother,  I  beg  through  the  Heart  of 
Jesus,  to  which  I  am  sure  thou  canst  refuse  noth¬ 
ing,  and  by  which  I  know  thou  canst  not  be 
rejected.  Oh!  show,  then,  thyself  a  mother,  and 
comply  with  the,  desires  of  thy  poor,  unworthy 
child. 

EASY  AND  SHORT  METHOD  OF  SAYING 

THE  ROSARY  OF  THE  BLESSED  VIR¬ 
GIN  WITH  THE  MYSTERIES. 

Taking  your  beads  in  your  right  hand,  by  the 
medal  or  cross,  bless  yourself  and  say  “  In  the  name 
of  the  Father,”  etc.  Then  recite,  by  way  of  intro¬ 
duction,  the  “  Creed,”  one  “  Our  Father,”  three 
“Hail  Marys,”  and  one  “Glory  be  to  the  Father.” 
Express  the  mysteries  appropriate  to  each  decade  in 
the  middle  of  each  “  Hail  Mary  ”  immediately  after 
the  name  of  Jesus. 

Mysteries  that  are  to  be  said,  or  at  least  meditated 
upon,  whilst  reciting  the  prayers : 

I.  The  Joyful  Mysteries,  for  Mondays, 
Thursdays,  and  for  Advent  till  the  octave  of  the 
Epiphany  inclusively . 

1.  Whom,  0  Virgin,  thou  didst  conceive  at  the 
message  of  an  angel. 

2.  Whom  thou  didst  carry  in  thy  womb  on  thy 
visit  to  Elizabeth. 

3.  Who  was  born  of  thee  at  Bethlehem. 

4.  Whom  thou  didst  present  in  the  Temple. 

5.  Whom  thou  didst  find  in  the  Temple. 


384 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


II.  The  Sorrowful  Mysteries.,  for  Tuesdays, 
Fridays,  and  for  Lent. 

1.  Who  sweat  blood  for  us  in  the  Garden. 

2.  Who  was  scourged  for  us. 

3.  Who  was  crowned  with  thorns  for  us. 

4.  Who  carried  his  cross  for  us. 

5.  Who  was  crucified  for  us. 

III.  The  Glorious  Mysteries,  for  Wednes¬ 
days,  Saturdays,  Sundays,  and  the  whole  Paschal 
time. 

1.  Who  arose  from  the  dead. 

2.  Who  ascended  into  heaven. 

3.  Who  sent  the  Holy  Ghost. 

4.  Who  took  thee  up  into  heaven. 

5.  Who  crowned  thee  Queen  of  heaven. 


THE  FEAST  OF  THE  PRESENTATION. 

(November  21st.) 

HISTORICAL  EXPLANATION. 

This  feast  was  celebrated  in  the  Eastern  Church 
long  before  it  was  introduced  into  the  Western. 
The  Emperor  Emanuel  Comnenus  introduced  it 
into  the  Greek  Church  as  a  general  feast.  The 
Ambassador  of  Charles  V.,  king  of  France,  urged 


The  Feast  of  the  Presentation.  385 

its  celebration  in  the  Western  Church  also.  King 
Charles  presented  the  matter  to  Pope  Gregory 
XI.,  who  was  then  living* in  Avignon,  and  the 
Pope  had  the  feast  celebrated,  for  the  first  time, 
in  his  own  chapel  in  the  year  1372.  It  spread 
over  all  France,  and  in  1460  Duke  William  of 
Saxony  asked  for  its  extension  to  his  country, 
which  was  granted  by  Pope  Pius  II.  and  also  by 
Pope  Paul  II. 

Finally  Sixtus  A7,  in  the  year  1585  ordered  it  to 
be  celebrated  by  the  whole  Church. 

NOVENA  FOR  THE  FEAST  OF  THE 
PRESENTATION  OF  MARY. 

(Novena  begins  November  12th  and  ends 
November  20th.) 

Recite  daily  nine  times  the  “  Hail  Mary  ” ;  then 
say  the  following  prayer : 

0  beloved  Mother  of  God,  most  amiable  child 
Mary,  thou  didst  present  thyself  in  the  Temple, 
and  with  promptitude  and  without  reserve  didst 
consecrate  thyself  to  the  glory  and  love  of  God; 
could  I  but  offer  thee  this  day  the  first  years  of 
my  life,  to  devote  myself  without  reserve  to  thy 
service,  my  holy  and  most  sweet  Lady!  But  it 
is  now  too  late  to  do  this;  for,  unfortunate  crea¬ 
ture  that  I  am,  I  have  lost  many  years  in  the  ser¬ 
vice  of  the  world  and  my  own  caprices,  and  have 


386 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


lived  in  almost  entire  forgetfulness  of  thee  and 
of  God.  “  Woe  to  that  time  in  which  I  did  not 
love  thee!77  But  it  is  better  to  begin  late  than 
not  at  all.  Behold,  0  Mary,  I  this  day  present 
myself  to  thee,  and  I  offer  myself  without  reserve 
to  thy  service  for  the  long  or  short  time  that  I 
still  have  to  live  in  this  world;  and,  in  union  with 
thee,  I  renounce  all  creatures,  and  devote  myself 
entirely  to  the  love  of  my  Creator.  I  consecrate 
my  mind  to  thee,  0  Queen,  that  it  may  always 
dwell  on  the  love  that  thou  deservest;  my  tongue, 
that  it  may  praise  thee;  my  heart,  that  it  may  love 
thee..  Do  thou  accept,  0  most  holy  Virgin!  the 
offering  which  this  miserable  sinner  now  makes 
thee;  accept  it,  I  beseech  thee,  by  the  consolation 
that  thy  heart  experienced  when  thou  didst  give 
thyself  to  God  in  the  Temple.  But,  since  I 
enter  thy  service  late,  it  is  reasonable  that  I 
should  redouble  my  acts  of  homage  and  love, 
thereby  to  compensate  for  lost  time.  Do  thou 
help  my  weakness  with  thy  powerful  interces¬ 
sion,  0  Mother  of  mercy!  by  obtaining  me  perse¬ 
verance  from  thy  Jesus  and  strength  to  be  always 
faithful  to  thee  until  death,  that,  thus  always 
serving  thee  in  life,  I  may  praise  thee  in  paradise 
for  all  eternity.  Amen. 

For  making-  a  novena  in  honor  of  the  presentation 
of  Our  Lady  in  the  Temple  an  indulgence  is  granted 


The  Feast  of  the  Presentation 


387 


of  three  hundred  days  each  day,  and  a  plenary  indul¬ 
gence  during  the  course  of  the  novena  or  on  one  of 
the  eight  days  immediately  following  it. — Pius  IX., 
Jan.  5,  1849,  and  Jan.  28,  1850. 

MEDITATION  FOR  THE  FEAST. 

i. 

The  holy  child  Mary  had  hardly  attained  the 
age  of  three  years  when  she  entreated  her  holy 
parents  to  take  her  to  the  Temple,  according  to 
the  promise  which  they  had  made.  The  ap¬ 
pointed  day  having  arrived,  the  immaculate  young 
Virgin  left  Nazareth  with  St.  Joachim  and  St. 
Anne;  a  choir  of  angels  also  accompanied  that  holy 
child,  who  was  destined  to  become  the  Mother 
of  their  Creator.  “  Go/’  says  St.  Germanus,  “  go, 
0  Blessed  Virgin,  to  the  house  of  the  Lord,  to 
await  the  coming  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  will 
make  thee  the  Mother  of  the  Eternal  Word.” 

ii. 

When  the  holy  company  had  reached  the  Tem¬ 
ple  of  Jerusalem,  the  blessed  child  turned  to  her 
parents,  and  kneeling,  kissed  their  hands,  asked 
their  blessing,  and,  without  looking  back,  as¬ 
cended  the  steps  of  the  Temple,  and  renouncing 
all  earthly  things,  and  all  that  the  world  could 
give  her,  she  offered  and  consecrated  herself  with- 


388  Practices  of  Devotion. 

out  reserve  to  God.  The  life  of  Mary  in  the 
Temple  was  thenceforward  but  one  continual  ex¬ 
ercise  of  love  and  offering  of  her  whole  self  to  her 
Lord.  She  advanced  from  hour  to  hour,  nay, 
even  from  moment  to  moment,  in  all  virtues,  for¬ 
tified,  it  is  true,  by  divine  grace,  but  always 
exerting  herself  with  her  whole  strength  to  cor-  • 
respond  to  this  grace.  Mary  herself  said,  in  a 
vision  to  St.  Elizabeth  of  Hungary,  “  Thou  think- 
est,  perhaps,  that  I  obtained  grace  and  virtues 
without  effort.  Know  that  I  received  no  graces  I 
from  God  without  great  labor,  constant  prayer, 
ardent  desires,  and  many  tears  and  mortifica¬ 
tions.”  ] 

hi. 

Thus  in  the  Temple  the  tender  Virgin  Mary 
prayed  without  ceasing.  And  seeing  that  the 
human  race  was  lost  and  hateful  to  God,  she  prin¬ 
cipally  prayed  for  the  coming  of  the  Messias,  and 
ardently  desired  to  be  the  servant  of  the  happy 
virgin  who  was  to  become  the  Mother  of  God. 
But,  0  holy  Lady,  know  that  on  account  of  thy 
prayers  the  Son  of  God  hastens  his  coming  into 
the  world  to  redeem  the  world;  and  moreover 
know  that  thou  art  that  blessed  one  who  art 
chosen  to  be  the  Mother  of  thy  Creator. 


The  Feast  of  the  Presentation . 


389 


Example. 

Father  Joseph  Jorio,  the  devout  author  of  a  book 
in  praise  of  the  Rosary  called  “  The  Secret  of  Every 
Grace,’’  relates  that  St.  Vincent  Ferrer  said  to  a  man 
who  was  dying  in  despair,  “  Why  are  you  determined 
to  lose  your  soul,  when  Jesus  Christ  wishes  to  save 
you  ?  ”  The  man  answered  that,  in  spite  of  Christ, 
he  was  determined  to  go  to  hell.  The  saint  replied, 
u  And  you,  in  spite  of  yourself,  shall  be  saved.”  He 
began  with  the  persons  in  the  house  to  recite  the 
Rosary,  when,  behold !  the  sick  man  asked  to  make 
his  confession,  and  having  done  so,  with  many  tears, 
expired. 

The  same  author  relates  that  in  a  late  earthquake 
a  poor  woman  was  buried  under  the  ruins  of  a  house 
which  was  overthrown.  A  priest  had  the  stones  and 
rubbish  cleared  away,  and  under  them  found  the 
mother  with  her  children  in  her  arms,  alive  and  un¬ 
injured.  On  being  asked  what  devotion  she  had 
practised,  she  replied  that  she  had  never  omitted 
saying  the  Rosary  and  visiting  the  altar  of  our 
blessed  Lady. 

He  also  relates  that  another  woman  lived  in 
sin,  fancying  it  was  the  only  means  by  which  she 
could  gain  her  livelihood.  She  was  advised  to 
recommend  herself  to  Mary  by  saying  the  Rosary. 
She  did  so;  and  behold  one  night  the  divine  Mother 
appeared  to  her  and  said,  “  Abandon  sin ;  and  as  to 
thy  support,  trust  in  me,  I  will  provide  for  that.’ 
In  the  morning  she  went  to  confession,  changed  her 
life,  and  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  amply  supplied 
her  wants. 

Prayer. 

O  beloved  of  God,  most  holy  child,  thou  prayest 
for  all :  pray  also  for  me.  Thou  didst  consecrate  thy 


390 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


entire  self  from  thy  very  childhood  to  the  love  of 
thy  God :  obtain  that  I,  during  the  time  that  I  have 
yet  to  be  on  earth,  may  live  for  God  alone.  On  this 
day,  in  union  with  thee,  I  renounce  all  creatures, 
and  consecrate  myself  to  the  love  of  my  Lord.  I 
also  offer  myself  to  thee,  my  Queen,  to  serve  thee  al¬ 
ways.  Accept  me  as  thy  servant  in  an  especial  man¬ 
ner,  and  obtain  me  the  grace  to  be  always  faithful 
to  thee  and  to  thy  Son,  that  I  may  one  day  praise 
thee,  and  love  thee  for  all  eternity  in  heaven. 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  THE  MONTH  OF  MAY. 

INTRODUCTION. 

The  faithful  praise  Mary  three  times  daily  in 
the  Angelus.  Not  satisfied  with  this,  Christian 
piety  has  dedicated  a  special  day  of  the  week  to 
her,  Saturday,  while  holy  Church  has  ordered 
some  feast  in  her  honor  in  nearly  every  month  of 
the  year,  for  Mary,  after  God,  is  worthy  of  being 
the  most  beloved  object  of  the  human  heart. 

But  all  this  was  not  sufficient  for  the  ardor  of 
her  devout  servants.  A  whole  month,  the  month 
of  May,  has  been  dedicated  to  her  honor. 

In  this  month  nature  is  at  its  loveliest,  and  in 
the  beauty  of  her  renewal  invites  the  mind  of 
man  to  a  spiritual  renewal.  “  It  is  not  without 
a  particular  design  of  God/’  says  St.  Gregory. 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May.  391 

“  that  the  celebration  of  the  Ascension  of  Our 
Lord  is  in  the  springtime.  Is  there  one  whose 
heart  in  these  clays,  when  the  Creator  of  the 
world  presents  himself  as  the  conqueror  of  death 
and  the  subduer  of  hell,  and  all  nature  wakes 
from  the  grave  and  glows  in  youthful  joy  and 
strength,  is  not  attracted  irresistibly  to  the  heav¬ 
enly  life?  ” 

Inspired  by  the  same  sentiment  Christian  devo¬ 
tion  has  dedicated  the  loveliest  month  of  spring 
to  the  Mother  of  God.  The  Blessed  Henry  Suso, 
who  died  January  25,  1365,  kept  a  spiritual  May, 
renewing  his  spiritual  life  by  godly  practices.  St. 
Philip  Neri,  who  died  1595,  urged  the  keeping 
of  the  month  by  spiritual  practices  and  by  tem¬ 
poral  works  of  mercy. 

Pope  Pius  VII.,  by  a  rescript  of  March  21, 
1815,  solemnly  sanctioned  the  devotion  of  the 
Month  of  May  and  encouraged  it  by  enriching  this 
devotion  with  many  indulgences.  To  all  faithful 
who,  in  church  or  at  home,  honor  the  Blessed  Vir¬ 
gin  by  prayers  and  other  virtuous  practices,  he 
grants  three  hundred  days’  indulgence  and  a 
plenary  indulgence  on  the  day  on  which  they  re¬ 
ceive  the  sacraments  and  pray  for  the  needs  of 
the  Church  and  the  intention  of  the  Holy  Pon¬ 
tiff.  These  indulgences  can  also  be  devoted  to 
the  souls  in  purgatory. 


392 


Practices  of  Devotion . 


THE  MANNER  IN'  WHICH  WE  SHOULD  PRACTICE 
THE  MAY  DEVOTION'S. 

1.  By  receiving  the  sacraments  during  the 
month. 

2.  By  offering  up  all  our  actions  daily  to  the 
Blessed  Virgin  and  through  her  to  her  Blessed 
Son. 

3.  By  attending  Mass  every  day  if  possible. 

4.  By  striving  during  this  month  in  particular 
to  root  out  an  evil  habit  and  acquire  the  virtue 
which  is  especially  necessary  to  ns.  As,  for  in¬ 
stance,  patience,  chastity,  and  so  on,  and  ask  the 
intercession  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  for  this  pur¬ 
pose. 

5.  By  reading  one  of  the  following  meditations 
compiled  from  the  writings  of  St.  Alphonsus 
Liguori  or  St.  Teresa  every  day.  It  may  be  pre¬ 
ceded  by  the  prayer  of  St.  Augustine  and  followed 
by  the  prayer  of  St.  Alphonsus  as  given  for  the 
first  day,  adding  the  “  Our  Father ”  and  “  Hail 
Mary,”  the  Litany  and  the  Bosarv,  as  may  be  the 
individual  preference.  Or  one  may  read  from 
some  other  devout  book  and  follow  the  spiritual 
reading  with  other  prayers,  according  to  special 
choice,  but  it  is  well  to  include  the  Rosary,  what¬ 
ever  else  may  be  recited. 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May. 


393 


First  Day. 

PRAYER  OF  ST.  AUGUSTINE. 

0  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  who  can  duly  thank 
thee,  or  herald  forth  thy  praises,  who,  by  the 
assent  of  thy  single  will,  didst  rescue  a  fallen 
world?  What  honor  can  be  paid  to  thee  by  our 
weak  human  nature,  which  by  thy  intervention 
alone  hath  found  the  way  to  return  to  grace  and 
life?  Accept,  then,  such  poor  thanks  as  we  have 
here  to  offer,  unequal  to  thy  merits  though  they 
be;  and,  accepting  our  good  desires,  obtain  by  thy 
prayers  the  remission  of  our  offences.  Graciously 
hear  our  prayers,  and  obtain  for  us  the  remedy 
of  reconciliation.  May  the  offering  we  make  to 
God  through  thee  be  acceptable  in  his  sight;  and 
may  that  be  grunted  which  we  ask  with  trustful 
heart.  Accept  our  offerings,  grant  us  our  peti¬ 
tions,  banish  our  fears,  for  thou  art  the  sole  hope 
•  _ 

of  sinners.  Through  thee  we  hope  for  forgive¬ 
ness  of  our  sins;  and  in  thee,  most  blessed  Lady, 
is  the  hope  of  our  reward.  Holy  Mary,  succor 
the  wretched,  help  the  faint-hearted,  comfort  the 
sorrowful,  pray  for  the  people,  shield  the  clergy, 
intercede  for  holy  women;  let  all  who  celebrate 
thy  holy  commemoration  feel  thy  protection.  Be 
thou  at  hand,  ready  to  aid  our  prayers  and  obtain 
for  us  what  we  desire.  Make  it  thy  care,  Blessed 


394 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Lady,  to  intercede  ever  for  the  people  of  God — 
thou  who  didst  deserve  to  hear  the  Redeemer  of 
the  world,  who  liveth  and  reigneth  forever  and 
ever.  Amen. 

ON  THE  MEANS  OF  PERFECTION. 

Perfection  consists  in  the  practice  of  two 
things — detachment  from  creatures  and  union 
with  God.  This  is  expressly  taught  us  by  Jesus 
Christ  in  these  words:  If  any  man  will  come  after 
me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and  take  up  his  cross,  and 
follow  me.  (Matt,  xvi.  24.) 

As  regards  detachment  from  creatures,  St. 
John  says:  Love  not  the  world,  nor  the  things  which 
are  in  the  world  .  .  .  For  all  that  is  in  the  world 
is  the  concupiscence  of  the  flesh,  the  concupiscence  of 
the  eyes,  and  the  pride  of  life.  (I.  John  ii.  16.) 
So  that  all  our  imperfections  arise  from  three 
kinds  of  inordinate  love:  the  love  of  pleasure,  the 
love  of  possessions,  and  the  love  of  self-esteem. 
Upon  these  St.  Teresa  beautifully  remarks:  “It 
is  just  that  he  who  adheres  to  things  that  are  lost 
should  himself  he  lost.’'  On  union  with  God, 
the  same  saint  tells  us  that  true  union  is  the 
union  of  our  will  with  the  will  of  God. 

PRAYER  OF  ST.  ALPHONSUS  LIGUORI. 

Most  holy  immaculate  Virgin  and  my  Mother 
.  Mary,  to  thee  who  art  the  Mother  of  my  Lord, 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May.  395 

the  Queen  of  the  world,  the  advocate,  the  hope, 
the  refuge  of  sinners,  I  have  recourse  to-day — I, 
who  am  the  most  miserable  of  all.  I  render  thee 
my  most  humble  homage,  0  great  Queen,  and  I 
thank  thee  for  all  the  graces  thou  hast  conferred 
on  me  until  now,  particularly  for  having  deliv¬ 
ered  me  from  hell,  which  I  have  so  often  deserved. 
I  love  thee,  0  most  amiable  Lady;  and  for  the 
love  which  I  bear  thee,  I  promise  to  serve  thee 
always,  and  to  do  all  in  my  power  to  make  others 
love  thee  also.  I  place  in  thee  all  my  hopes;  I 
confide  my  salvation  to  thy  care.  Accept  me  for 
thy  servant,  and  receive  me  under  thy  mantle,  0 
Mother  of  mercy.  And  since  thou  art  so  power¬ 
ful  with  God,  deliver  me  from  all  temptations,  or 
rather  obtain  me  the  strength  to  triumph  over 
them  until  death.  Of  thee  I  ask  a  perfect  love 
for  Jesus  Christ.  From  thee  I  hope  to  die  a  good 
death.  0  my  Mother,  by  the  love  which  thou 
bearest  to  God,  I  beseech  thee  to  help  me  at  all 
times,  but  especially  at  the  last  moment  of  my 
life.  Leave  me  not,  I  beseech  thee,  until  thou 
seest  me  safe  in  heaven,  blessing  thee,  and  sing¬ 
ing  thy  mercies  for  all  eternity.  Amen.  So  I 
hope.  So  may  it  be. 

(Three  hundred  days’  indulgence  each  time.) 


396 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Second  Day.  j 

ON  THE  LOYE  OF  PLEASURE. 

The  love  of  pleasure  or  self-gratification  is  to 
he  overcome  by  detaching  the  heart  from  such 
things  by  means  of  internal  and  external  mor¬ 
tification. 

By  internal  mortification  is  meant  the  regula¬ 
tion  of  the  passions — the  never  doing  of  anything 
from  self-love,  vanity,  caprice,  or  human  motives, 
hut  solely  to  please  God.  We  are  apt  to  com¬ 
plain  that,  seeking  God,  we  do  not  find  him. 

“  Detach  your  heart  from  all  things/7  St.  Teresa 
says.  “  Seek  God,  and  you  will  find  him.77  Other¬ 
wise  the  things  we  love  will  he  continually  draw¬ 
ing  us  off,  and  will  prevent  us  from  finding  God. 

External  mortification  consists  in  detaching 
ourselves  from  the  pleasures  of  the  senses  by 
mortifying  them. 

St.  Teresa  has  left  us,  on  the  subject  of  exter¬ 
nal  mortification,  the  following  excellent  senti¬ 
ments:  “To  suppose  that  God  admits  to  his 
friendship  those  who  are  ever  seeking  their  own 
ease  and  comfort  is  absurd.  The  spirit  of  deli¬ 
cacy  and  ease  corresponds  not  to  the  spirit  of 
prayer.  Souls  that  really  love  God  cannot  seek 
for  repose.77 


Devotions  for'  the  Month  of  May. 


397 


Third  Day. 

ON  THE  INTERIOR  PASSIONS. 

The  interior  passions  are  of  two  kinds,  the 
irascible  and  the  concupiseible. 

Of  the  irascible  the  principal  is  the  passion  of 
anger,  which  is  to  be  overcome  by  the  virtue  of 
meekness,  and  this  is  to  be  exercised.  Of  the 
concupiseible,  is  all  inordinate  love  for  all  sorts  of 
persons,  which  is  to  be  overcome  by  avoiding  their 
conversation,  affectionate  expressions  or  letters, 
presents,  jests,  and  everything  else  that  is  likely 
to  excite  the  affections.  St.  Teresa  says:  “  Cease 
to  expose  yourself  to  evil  occasions,  and  the  soul 
will  immediately  return  to  love  God.” 

“  Let  your  desire  he  to  see  God;  your  fear,  to 
lose  him;  your  joy,  whatever  can  conduct  you  to 
him.” 

Fourth  Day. 

ON  ANGER. 

The  passion  of  anger  is  to  be  overcome: 

1.  By  never  being  angry  with  another. 

2.  By  conversing  with  all  with  equal  mildness. 

3.  By  speaking  in  a  subdued  tone  of  voice,  with 
a  cheerful  air  and  mild  words,  particularly  with 
irritable  and  troublesome  persons. 


\ 


398 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


4.  By  quietly  bearing  with  the  defects,  injuries, 
and  annoyances  of  others. 

5.  By  not  being  disturbed  nor  disheartened  on 
account  of  our  own  defects,  but  by  humbling  our¬ 
selves,  by  calmly  rising  from  them  with  an  act 
of  repentance  and,  thinking  no  more  of  the  past, 
pursuing  our  career  with  greater  fervor  and 
greater  confidence  in  God;  and  by  doing  this 
whenever  we  fall. 

G.  By  never  speaking  nor  acting  when  the 
heart  is  disturbed.  St.  Francis  de  Sales  says:  “  I 
have  made  a  league  with  my  tongue  never  to 
speak  when  my  heart  is  disturbed.” 

Fifth  Day. 

ON  THE  LOVE  OF  PERSONS. 

In  our  relations  with  persons  we  should  always 
endeavor  to  please  God  rather  than  them,  because 
they  in  general  love  their  own  interests  more 
than  our  advantage.  We  should  never  relinquish 
the  practice  of  necessary  virtues  to  suit  their 
views.  If  they  are  relations  and  God  calls  us  to 
a  state  of  life  of  greater  perfection,  we  should 
courageously  leave  them,  obeying  God  rather  than 
them.  We  should  never  involve  ourselves  in  fam¬ 
ily  affairs  hurtful  to  us,  unless  obliged  to  do  so 
by  charity.  We  should  consider  in  all  things 
that  the  nearer  persons  are  to  us  the  greater  be- 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May. 


399 


comes  our  responsibility  of  example  and  of  char¬ 
ity  towards  them.  St.  Teresa  says:  “  Because 
we  do  not  interiorly  give  all  our  affection  to  God, 
so  neither  does  God  give  us  all  the  treasure  of  his 
love.” 

Sixth  Day. 

ON  SELF-WILL. 

Self-will  belongs  also  to  the  concupiscible, 
which  is  to  be  overcome  by  obedience.  “  Obedi¬ 
ence,”  says  St.  Teresa,  “  is  the  short  way  to  per¬ 
fection;  ”  and  she  adds:  “  0  virtue  of  obedience, 
which  canst  do  all  things!  ”  In  like  manner  St. 
Catharine  of  Bologna  said  that  obedience  alone  is 
more  pleasing  to  God  than  all  other  good  works. 
In  practice,  then,  we  must: 

1.  Regulate  ourselves  in  all  things  regarding 
the  soul,  however  trivial  they  may  be,  by  a  com¬ 
plete  surrender  of  our  will  to  the  will  of  God,  by 
remembering  that  the  station  in  life,  the  crosses 
and  the  mortifications  which  he  chooses  for  us 
are  far  more  useful  for  our  salvation  than  any 
we  can  choose  for  ourselves,  however  good  they 
may  seem  to  us. 

St.  Teresa  says:  “  God  requires  nothing  more 
of  a  soul  resolved  to  love  him  but  obedience.” 

2.  We  must  obey  our  superiors  in  all  things  in 
which  it  is  not  evident  that  there  is  sin. 


400  Practices  of  Devotion. 

3.  We  must  obey  willingly,  and  not  with  sour¬ 
ness. 

Blessed  Clement,  of  the  order  of  St.  Francis, 
one  morning  delayed  going  to  the  common  table, 
that  he  might  finish  certain  accustomed  devotions 
to  the  Blessed  Virgin;  but  she  spoke  to  him  from 
the  image,  and  desired  him  to  go  with  the  others, 
as  she  was  more  pleased  with  obedience  than  with 
all  other  devotions. 

Seventh  Day. 

ON  PATIENCE. 

Self-will  may  further  be  overcome  by  being 
patient  and  rejoicing  before  God  at  being  re¬ 
pressed,  calumniated,  or  persecuted.  St.  Teresa 
said:  “  Who  is  he  that,  seeing  Our  Lord  covered 
with  wounds  and  afflicted  with  persecutions,  does 
not  embrace  or  desire  them?  ”  On  this  head  the 
saints  have  frequently  sought  from  God  the  grace 
of  being  persecuted  for  his  sake.  It  is  well,  at 
least  in  meditation,  to  prepare  ourselves  to  bear 
with  oppression  and  exactions  by  anticipating 
whatever  occasions  may  present  themselves. 
Moreover,  it  is  well  to  make  no  excuse  or  defence 
even  when  wrongly  blamed,  unless  in  case  of 
scandal,  or  hindrance  of  the  greater  glory  of  God. 
St.  Teresa  said:  “  Once  not  to  excuse  one’s  self 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May. 


401 


-advances  the  soul  towards  perfection  more  than 
many  sermons.” 


Eighth  Day. 

ON  EXTERNAL  MORTIFICATION. 

The  senses  may  be  mortified: 

1.  The  sight,  by  not  looking  on  illicit,  danger¬ 
ous,  or  curious  objects;  by  walking  with  the  eyes 
cast  down;  by  observing  modesty  with  ourselves 
in  dressing  or  undressing,  and  in  every  other 
action. 

2.  The  hearing,  by  not  listening  to  murmurs, 
immodesty,  or  news. 

3.  The  smell,  by  depriving  ourselves  of  scented 
waters,  perfumes,  and  other  like  luxuries. 

4.  The  taste,  as  regards  the  quantity  of  food: 
First,  by  not  eating  or  drinking  solely  for  the 
sake  of  gratification  nor  to  satisfy  the  appetite, 
but  only  to  afford  sufficient  support  to  nature; 
secondly,  by  always  renouncing  something  at 
table  for  the  love  of  God.  As  regards  the  quality 
of  food:  First,  by  not  seeking  for  nice  and  deli¬ 
cate  things,  nor  highly  seasoned  sauces  and  the 
like;  secondly,  by  not  complaining  when  our  food 
is  ill-done,  cold,  or  insipid. 

5.  The  touch  is  to  be  mortified  by  not  seeking 
too  much  ease  in  bedding,  clothing,  or  furniture; 
by  at  least  not  complaining  in  sickness,  fatigue, 


402 


Practices  of  Devotion . 


inconveniences,  or  interior  trials,  but  ottering 
them  all  to  Jesus  Christ, 

Ninth  Day, 

ON  RESTRAINING  THE  TONGUE. 

The  restraining  of  the  tongue  by  silence  be¬ 
longs  also  to  external  mortification,  which  can  be 
exercised: 

1.  By  speaking  little  and  with  consideration. 

2.  By  not  speaking  at  all,  at  times,  unless  from 
necessity. 

3.  By  speaking  frequently  with  God,  and  by 
introducing  something  spiritual  into  our  dis¬ 
courses.  St.  Teresa  said:  “  In  the  conversations 
of  the  servants  of  God,  Jesus  is  always  present, 
and  is  much  pleased  that  they  should  delight  in 
him.” 

4.  By  not  speaking  to  every  one  of  our  trials 
and  temptations.  St.  Teresa  says:  “  Do  not  com¬ 
municate  your  temptations  to  imperfect  souls,  for 
you  will  do  an  injury  both  to  them  and  to  your¬ 
self.  Communicate  them  only  to  the  perfect.” 

5.  By  avoiding  gossip  and  all  unkind  or  idle 
speech. 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May. 


403 


Tenth  Day. 

LOVE  OF  POSSESSIONS. 

The  second  kind  of  inordinate  love  is  the  love 
of  possessions,  and  this  is  to  he  overcome  hy  pov¬ 
erty: 

1.  By  dispensing  with  what  is  superfluous  and 
retaining  only  what  is  necessary,  or,  at  least,  hy 
renouncing  all  undue  attachment  to  what  is  pos¬ 
sessed. 

2.  By  choosing  the  meanest  things. 

3.  By  rejoicing  when  even  that  which  is  neces¬ 
sary  is  wanting.  St.  Teresa  said:  “Poverty  is  a 
good  that  comprises  all  the  goods  of  the  world.” 
And  in  another  place:  “  The  less  we  have  here  the 
more  shall  we  enjoy  in  eternity.” 

Eleventh  Day. 

ON  STRIVING  FOR  SPIRITUAL  TREASURES. 

A  great  servant  of  God,  Father  Hyppolito 
Durazzo,  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  used  with  good 
reason  to  say,  as  we  read  in  his  life,  that  men  of 
the  world  never  think  that  they  have  enough  of 
the  good  things  of  this  life,  and  are  always  en¬ 
deavoring  to  possess  more;  but  with  respect  to 
the  rest  they  say:  “  The  smallest  corner  of  para¬ 
dise  is  sufficient  for  us.”  Whereas,  on  the  con¬ 
trary,  he  wffio  truly  loves  God  and  not  the  world. 


404 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


ought  to  be  contented  with  the  least  corner  of 
the  earth;  but  for  the  good  things  of  heaven  he 
ought  always  to  he  striving  more  and  more  with- 
out  ever  resting  satisfied.  This  good  Father  used 
also  to  say  “  that  to  become  a  saint  one  need 
desire  nothing  but  what  is  to  he  obtained  through 
the  sole  desire  to  he  pleasing  to  God/’ 

4  Twelfth  Day. 

OUST  CHARITY  TOWARDS  OUR  NEIGHBOR. 

In  order  to  overcome  further  the  love  of  pos¬ 
sessions  and  promote  the  union  of  the  soul  with 
God,  we  must  exercise  charity  towards  our  neigh¬ 
bor. 

As  regards  the  interior ,  it  consists  in  wishing 
him  the  same  good  that  we  wish  ourselves;  in  not 
wishing  him  the  evil  we  wish  not  for  ourselves; 
in  rejoicing  in  his  good,  and  lamenting  the  evil 
which  befalls  him;  although  we  may  naturally  ex¬ 
perience  some  repugnance  in  so  doing. 

We  must  above  all  endeavor  to  render  good  for 
evil,  at  least  to  speak  well  of  those  who  injure  us, 
treat  them  with  meekness  and  recohimend  them 
to  God,  turning  away  our  thoughts  from  the  an¬ 
noyances,  harshness,  and  provocations  which  we 
seem  to  have  received  from  them. 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May. 


405 


Thirteenth  Day. 

ON  EXTERIOR  CHARITY. 

As  regards  the  exterior  towards  our  neighbor 
we  must: 

1.  Not  murmur  against  him,  deride  or  laugh  at 
him,  but  speak  always  well  of  him  and  defend, 
or  at  least  excuse,  his  intention. 

2.  We  must  console  him  under  afflictions. 

3.  We  must  succor  him  in  his  necessities  of 
soul  and  body,  particularly  in  sickness. 

4.  We  must  condescend  to  our  neighbor  in  all 
that  is  not  sin.  Hence  as  St.  Francis  de  Sales 
admonishes,  we  must  choose  a  proper  time  for  our 
neighbor  and  for  ourselves;  and  when  we  have 
been  wanting  in  our  behavior  towards  him,  we 
ought  to  seek  an  occasion  of  meeting  his  wishes. 

5.  We  must  not  give  our  neighbor  bad  counsel 
or  bad  example. 

6.  We  must  occasionally  reprove  him,  but 
mildly  and  seasonably,  and  not  when  he  is  agi¬ 
tated  with  passion. 

Fourteenth  Day. 

LOVE  OF  SELF-ESTEEM. 

The  third  kind  of  inordinate  love  is  the  love  of 
self-esteem,  and  this  is  to  be  overcome  bv  humil- 

y  %j 

ity,  which  is  to  be  exercised: 


406 


Practices  of  Devotion . 


1.  By  giving  all  glory  to  God  in  whatever  good 
we  do,  and  expelling  from  our  hearts  all  vain  com¬ 
placency. 

St.  Teresa  said:  “When  we  intend  to  please 
God  alone,  he  will  enable  us  to  overcome  all  vain¬ 
glory.” 

2.  By  esteeming  ourselves  as  being  worse  than 
all,  and  all  others  as  being  better  than  ourselves, 
ever  regarding  that  which  is  good  in  others,  and 
in  ourselves  whatever  is  defective,  reflecting  par¬ 
ticularly  on  the  many  graces  which  we  have  re¬ 
ceived  from  God. 

3.  By  desiring  to  be  thus  estimated  and  treated 
by  others. 

4.  By  not  seeking  honors,  praise,  nor  posts  of 
honor,  and  by  not  accepting  of  them  unless 
obliged  to  do  so  by  obedience  to  superiors. 

5.  By  never  saying  a  word  without  necessity 
in  praise  of  ourselves,  our  talents,  birth,  parents, 
riches,  etc. 


Fifteenth  Day. 

ON  HUMBLY  RECEIVING  CONTEMPT. 

All  wish  to  be  humble,  but  there  are  few  that 
wish  to  be  humbled.  St.  Ignatius  of  Loyola  gave 
the  following  counsel  to  St.  Mary  Magdalene  of 
Pazzi:  “  Humility  is  the  joy  that  we  feel  at  every¬ 
thing  that  leads  us  to  despise  ourselves.’’  This 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May.  407 

is  what  is  meant  by  being  humble  of  heart,  as 
Jesus  Christ  teaches  us  to  be;  namely,  to  regard 
ourselves  as  we  really  are,  and  to  wish  that 
others  may  look  upon  us  and  treat  us  in  the  same 
way.  We  must  not  expect  that  the  senses  and 
the  inferior  part  of  the  soul  should  find  satisfac¬ 
tion  in  this;  but  we  must  act  by  reason,  content¬ 
ing  ourselves  with  pleasing  God;  and  for  this  it 
is  especially  useful  to  exercise  ourselves  during 
prayer  in  preparing  for  receiving  contempt  of 
every  description,  and  to  pray  earnestly  to  Jesus 
and  Mary  to  grant  us  the  fulfilment  of  our  good 
resolutions  on  the  occasions  that  may  present 
themselves. 


Sixteenth  Day. 

ON  THE  PRACTICE  OF  HUMILITY. 

Behold  for  the  practice  of  humility  the  follow¬ 
ing  most  important  maxims,  according  to  St. 
Teresa: 

1.  To  avoid  every  occupation  and  every  conver¬ 
sation  that  can  in  any  way  have  to  do  with  self- 
love,  unless  some  notable  utility  oblige  us  to  enter 
upon  it.  The  saint  enjoins,  nevertheless,  that  we 
should  never  put  ourselves  forward,  excepting 
under  obedience  or  from  motives  of  charity. 

2.  Never  to  manifest  our  interior  devotion,  un¬ 
less  through  some  great  necessity;  and  never  to 


408 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


affect  outwardly  a  devotion  that  is  not  within  the 
heart. 

3.  To  rejoice  on  beholding  ourselves  the  objects 
of  complaints,  of  insults,  and  of  mockeries,  with¬ 
out  seeking  to  justif yr  ourselves,  unless  this  he 
necessary  for  some  greater  good;  “  and  when  we 
are  reproved, 77  says  the  saint,  “  let  us  receive  the 
reproof  with  interior  as  well  as  exterior  humility, 
offering  up  a  prayer  to  God  for  him  by  whom  we 
are  reprimanded.7’ 

Seventeenth  Day. 

ON  TRUE  LOVE  OF  GOD. 

The  Lord  one  day  addressed  St.  Teresa  as 
follows,  in  order  to  make  her  understand  that 
true  love  of  God  in  this  life  does  not  consist  in 
any  sensible  sweetnesses,  but  in  the  accomplish¬ 
ment  of  the  will  of  God,  and  in  the  undergoing  of 
sufferings  with  calmness. 

“  Thinkest  thou,  my  daughter,77  he  said  to  her, 
“  that  gratifications  constitute  merit?  No,  merit 
consists  in  acting,  in  suffering,  and  in  loving. 
Consider  my  life,  altogether  filled  up,  as  it  was, 
with  sufferings:  when  you  look  at  my  Mother 
holding  me  in  her  arms,  do  not  suppose  that  she 
enjoys  this  satisfaction  without  suffering  the 
cruel  torment  that  St.  Simeon  had  predicted  to 
her,  when  he  said  to  her:  ‘A  sword  shall  pierce 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May.  409 

thine  own  soul’;  my  Father  having  from  that 
time  enlightened  her  in  order  that  she  might 
understand  all  that  I  was  to  suffer.” 

Eighteenth  Day. 

ON  SUFFERING. 

“  To  suppose  that  my  Father  admits  any  one 
into  friendship  with  himself  without  sufferings 
is  folly,”  Our  Lord  said  to  St.  Teresa,  “  for  those 
for  whom  he  entertains  a  great  love  he  leads  on 
by  the  way  of  sufferings,  and  these  sufferings  are 
the  greater  in  proportion  to  the  greatness  of  his 
love.” 

If,  then,  it  is  our  wish  to  love  our  dearest  Lord 
with  a  genuine  love,  and  to  study  how  to  give 
satisfaction  to  his  heart  rather  than  to  gratify  our 
own,  we  must  consider  that  the  least  one  can  do 
is  to  conform  one’s  self  perfectly  to  the  will  of 
God  in  all  adversities.  “  The  weight  of  the  cross 
makes  itself  felt  by  him  that  drags  it  along,  but 
not  by  him  that  embraces  it.”  Just  as  a  miser, 
instead  of  being  fatigued,  feels  joy  as  he  carries 
his  weight  of  gold,  and  rejoices  the  more  in  pro¬ 
portion  to  the  greatness  of  its  weight,  so  does  a 
loving  soul  rejoice  the  more  the  more  she  has  to 
suffer  for  God,  because  she  perceives  that  in  offer¬ 
ing  up  her  sufferings  to  her  Beloved,  she  is  ex¬ 
ceedingly  acceptable  to  him. 


410 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


Nineteenth  Day. 

REMEMBRANCE  OF  GOHS  PRESENCE. 

It  is  very  conducive  to  union  with  God  to  keep 
up  a  continual  remembrance  of  his  presence  by 
reminding  ourselves  that  in  every  place  he  sees 
US;  perceives  us,  surrounds  us,  and  is  in  us.  St. 
Teresa  attributes  all  our  defects  to  a  neglect  of 
this  practice;  she  says:  “  They  all  arise  from  not 
attending  to  the  presence  of  God,  as  though  we 
believed  him  to  be  afar  off.”  But  this  happens 
because  we  have  but  little  love  for  him:  “  The 
true  lover,”  observes  the  saint,  “  is  ever  mindful 
of  the  object  of  his  love.” 

To  keep  up  a  remembrance  of  the  divine  pres¬ 
ence,  it  is  a  great  help  to  carry  about  us  some 
special  token  of  it,  or  to  place  such  a  token  in  our 
room  or  on  our  table. 

Let  this  remembrance  be  always  accompanied 
by  pious  ejaculations,  acts  of  love,  or  offerings  of 
ourselves  to  God. 

Twentieth  Day. 

ON  SPIRITUAL  COMMUNION. 

Frequent  spiritual  communions  are  of  great  as¬ 
sistance  in  maintaining  a  union  with  God.  St. 
Teresa  says:  “  To  make  spiritual  communions  is 
very  profitable;  do  not  neglect  them,  because  by 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May. 


411 


them  you  will  prove  to  Our  Lord  how  much  you 
love  him.” 

Make  also  frequent  visits  to  the  most  holy 
Sacrament.  “  What/’  says  the  saint,  “  would  be¬ 
come  of  us  if  we  had  not  the  most  holy  Sacra¬ 
ment?”  St.  Dionysius  the  Areopagite  asserts 
that  from  no  other  source  do  so  many  helps  to 
perfection  flow  to  us  as  from  the  most  holy  Sac¬ 
rament.  St.  Teresa  also  says:  “  Let  us  act  so  as 
not  to  be  at  a  distance  from  our  Shepherd,  nor 
lose  him  from  our  sight:  because  the  sheep  that 
keep  near  their  shepherd  are  always  more  caressed 
and  better  taken  care  of  than  others.” 

Twenty-first  Day. 

ON  HOLY  COMMUNION. 

We  must  receive,  as  often  as  possible,  but  with 
the  advice  of  a  director,  holy  Communion,  which 
is  called  the  sacrament  of  union,  inasmuch  as  in 
it  the  soul  is  wholly  united  with  Jesus  Christ. 

*j 

But  care  must .  be  taken  to  prepare  for  it  by 
directing  all  our  spiritual  exercises  to  that  end. 
At  least  half  an  hour  should  be  spent  in  affections 
and  prayers  of  thanksgiving  after  Communion. 
St.  Teresa  says  that  while  Jesus  Christ  remains 
in  the  soul,  he  is,  as  it  were,  on  the  throne  of 
mercy  to  dispense  his  graces.  Her  words  are 
these:  “After  Communion,  let  us  not  lose  so  fa- 


412 


Practices  of  Devotion 


vorable  an  opportunity  of  treating  with  him.” 
And  in  another  place:  “  His  divine  Majesty  is  not 
accustomed  to  pay  ill  for  his  abode  when  he 
meets  with  a  good  reception.”  For  preparation 
and  thanksgiving  three  points  should  he  par¬ 
ticularly  dwelt  upon:  1.  Who  is  it  that  is  com¬ 
ing?  Jesus.  2.  To  whom  is  he  coming?  To 
me.  3.  Why  is  he  coming?  To  be  loved.  To 
these  should  be  united  three  acts:  of  faith,  of 
humility,  and  love. 

Twenty-second  Day. 

ON  FAITH  IN  THE  BLESSED  SACRAMENT. 

The  mystery  of  faith  is  preeminently  the 
most  holy  Sacrament.  St.  Teresa  used  to  say 
that  God  has  conferred  upon  us  a  greater  grace 
in  giving  us  the  Holy  Eucharist  than  in  becoming 
man.  When  the  saint  heard  any  one  say  that  he 
would  wish  to  have  lived  at  the  time  when  Jesus 
was  upon  earth,  she  used  to  laugh  and  say:  “And 
what  more  do  we  want,  having  Jesus,  as  we  have, 
in  the  most  holy  Sacrament?  Surely,  if  it  was 
enough,  while  he  was  upon  earth,  to  touch  his 
raiment  in  order  to  be  healed  of  infirmities,  what 
will  he  not  do  for  us  when  he  is  within  us?  Oh, 
how  sweet  it  is,”  she  wrote,  “  to  see  the  Shepherd 
become  a  Lamb.  He  is  a  Shepherd,  because  he 
gives  food.  He  is  a  Lamb,  because  he  is  himself 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May. 


413 


the  food.  .  .  .  When,  therefore,  we  pray  to  him 
for  our  daily  bread,  we  are  asking  of  him  that 
the  Shepherd  may  be  our  food  and  sustenance.” 
Let  the  fruit  of  this  consideration  be  that  of 
continual  thanksgiving,  in  union  with  the  Blessed 
Virgin  Mary,  to  the  Lord,  for  having  bestowed 
upon  us  the  great  gift  of  faith  in  the  most  holy 
Sacrament,  by  making  us  children  of  the  holy 
Church,  from  which  so  many  millions  of  souls, 
perhaps  less  guilty  than  ourselves,  in  the  sight 
of  divine  justice,  remain  separated. 

Twenty-third  Day. 

ON  AN  ACTIVE  LOVE  OF  GOD. 

N 

We  must  love  him  with  our  whole  heart,  ever 
desiring  to  arrive  at  a  higher  degree  of  perfec¬ 
tion  in  order  to  please  him;  upon  this  St.  Teresa 
observes:  “  God  will  not  suffer  any  good  desire 
to  go  unrewarded  even  in  this  life.”  And  she 
also  says  that  Our  Lord,  “  ordinarily,  does  not 
confer  many  signal  favors,  except  upon  those 
who  have  greatly  desired  to  love  him.”  But  to 
desires  we  must  add  actions,  by  overcoming  with 
fortitude  human  respect,  our  own  repugnance, 
and  all  worldly  interest.  “  The  love  of  God  does 
not  consist  in  tender  devotion,  but  in  serving 
him  with  fortitude  and  humility.” 


414 


Practices  of  Devotion . 


Twenty-fourth  Day. 
prayer. 

To  keep  ourselves  in  union  with  God,  it  is  abso¬ 
lutely  necessary  to  attend  to  prayer,  inasmuch  as 
we  know  from  the  Gospel  that  God  in  general 
dispenses  his  graces  to  those  only  who  seek  them. 

Hence  when  we  rise  in  the  morning  we  should 
confidently  recommend  ourselves  to  Jesus  and 
Mary,  that  they  may  assist  us. 

It  is  advisable  to  do  this  also  in  the  beginning 
of  all  our  actions;  and  never  to  omit  making  in 
the  evening  an  examination  of  conscience,  with 
acts  of  repentance  and  sorrow. 

In  time  of  temptations,  and  when  we  are  in 
danger  of  committing  sin,  it  is  absolutely  neces¬ 
sary  to  have  recourse  to  God,  saying  at  least: 
Jesus,  Mary. 

St.  Francis  de  Sales  used  to  say  that,  next 
after  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  protection 
of  Mary  is  so  powerful  and  so  beneficial  to  the 
soul  u  that,  according  to  my  judgment,  I  look 
upon  it  to  be  the  firmest  support  we  can  have 
with  God."  It  is  also  very  necessary  to  beg  of 
God  to  grant  us  the  victory  over  our  predominant 
passion,  holy  perseverance,  his  love,  and  perfect 
conformity  to  his  blessed  will. 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May. 


415 


Twenty-fifth  Day. 

ON  THE  EXCLUSIVE  LOVE  OF  GOD. 

The  Roman  Senate,  as  St.  Augustine  relates, 
sanctioned  the  payment  of  divine  honors  to  thirty 
thousand  deities,  that  is,  to  all  that  were  recog¬ 
nized  as  such  in  the  world;  but  it  refused  to  de¬ 
cree  divine  worship  to  the  God  of  the  Christians, 
whom  it  styled  a  jealous  God,  since  he  desired  to 
he  adored  exclusively.  And  the  Roman  Senate 
had  good  reason  for  what  they  thus  alleged;  not 
because  our  God  is  proud,  but  because  he  is  the 
true  God.  The  thief  is  satisfied  if  he  obtains  a 
share,  but  the  owner  is  not  satisfied  without  the 
whole.  God  desires,  then,  to  be  the  sole  pos¬ 
sessor  of  our  heart;  and  therefore  he  enjoins 
upon  each  of  us  this  command:  Thou  shall  love 
the  Lord  thy  God  with  thy  whole  heart.  Let  us, 
then,  set  to  work  to  detach  our  heart  from  riches 
by  the  love  of  holy  poverty;  from  pleasures,  by 
mortification;  from  honors,  by  humility;  from 
relatives,  by  detachment;  and,  lastly,  from  self- 
will  by  obedience  to  superiors;  frequently  offer¬ 
ing  up  to  God  that  excellent  prayer:  Create  in  me, 
O  my  God!  a  pure  heart.  (Ps.  i.  12.) 


416  Practices  of  Devotion. 

Twenty-sixth  Day. 

ON  A  DESIRE  EOR  SANCTITY. 

A  great  desire  for  sanctity  is  one  means  to¬ 
wards  becoming  a  saint;  for,  on  the  one  hand, 
God  does  not  bestow  the  abundance  of  his  graces 
except  on  those  souls  that  hunger  for  them,  as 
the  most  holy  Mary  says,  in  her  sublime  canticle: 
He  has  filled  with  good  things  those  who  are  hungry . 
(Luke  i.  53.)  And,  on  the  other  hand,  this  desire 
is  necessary  as  regards  ourselves,  to  the  end  that 
we  may  have  the  power  of  persevering  under  the 
hardships  that  we  must  endure  if  we  would  gain 
the  great  treasure  of  perfection.  For  that  which 
is  but  little  desired  men  make  but  little  exer¬ 
tions  to  obtain;  whereas,  on  the  contrary,  to  com¬ 
pass  the  acquisition  of  what  is  much  desired,  there 
is  no  toil,  however  arduous,  that  they  do  not 
find  to  be  easy  and  sweet.  On  this  account  it  is 
that  God  gives  the  appellation  of  “  blessed  ”  to 
those  that  have  not  the  desire  merely,  but  a  hun¬ 
ger  besides,  that  is,  an  ardent  desire  for  sanctity: 
Blessed  are  they  that  hunger  and  thirst  after  justice. 
(Matt.  v.  6.) 

Twenty-seventh  Day. 

ON  RESOLUTION. 

In  order  to  arrive  at  perfection,  it  is  not 
enough  to  have  merely  the  desire  for  it;  we  must 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May.  417 

also  make  the  firm  resolution  of  attaining  it; 
otherwise  the  desire  without  the  resolution  will 
be  of  no  avail.  This  is  what  happens  to  such  a 
number  of  souls  that  are  always  desiring,  and  are 
perpetually  multiplying  their  desires,  hut  that 
never  come  to  a.  determination  of  setting  them¬ 
selves  to  the  work  in  earnest,  and  so  remain  ever 
in  their  tepidity  without  making  any  progress.  “  I 
would  rather  have,”  writes  St.  Teresa  on  this  sub¬ 
ject,  “  a  short  prayer  producing  great  results, 
than  a  prayer  lasting  several  years,  during  which 
the  soul  never  resolves  on  performing  anything 
of  any  real  value  for  God." 

St.  Bernard  says  that  many  fail  to  become 
saints  because  they  lack  the  courage.  “  I  have  ex¬ 
perienced  in  a  variety  of  circumstances,”  St.  Te¬ 
resa  adds,  “  that  when  any  one  from  the  outset 
resolves  courageously  on  the  accomplishment  of 
anything,  whatever  may  he  its  difficulties,  if  he 
does  it  in  order  to  please  God,  he  has  nothing  to 
fear.” 


Twenty-eighth  Day. 

ON  CONFIDENCE. 

The  mercies  of  God  are  commensurate  with  the 
confidence  that  a  soul  places  in  him;  so  that  when 
the  Lord  wishes  to  enrich  a  soul  with  graces  he 
first  of  all  enriches  it  with  confidence. 


418 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


So  great  was  the  confidence  with  which  the 
holy  mother  Teresa  was  gifted  by  God,  that 
whenever  the  strength  of  the  opposition  in¬ 
creased,  her  courage  would  increase  also,  and  she 
would  say  that  this  is  a  sign  that  the  seed  sown 
will  produce  the  more  abundant  fruit;  and  so  all 
turned  out  successfully.  We  thus  read  in  her 
writings:  “  Thus  I  hope,  because  the  true  way 
of  escaping  a  fall  is  to  attach  one’s  self  to  the 
cross,  and  to  confide  in  him  who  has  been  sus¬ 
pended  thereon.  I  find  him  alone  a  true  friend; 
so  overpowered  am  I  with  a  sense  of  this,  that 
it  seems  to  me  that,  with  the  grace  of  God,  I 
could  withstand  the  whole  universe  contending 
against  me.” 

Learn  from  this,  0  devout  soul!  how  God 
listens  to  the  prayers  that  are  offered  with  con¬ 
fidence;  ask,  then,  with  confidence,  and  you  shall 
have  whatever  you  desire.  Heaven  and  earth 
may  fail  you,  but  the  word  of  God,  who  has  said, 
Whosoever  asketh ,  receiveth  (Matt.  vii.  8),  cannot 
fail. 

Twenty-ninth  Day. 

ON  THE  CONTINUAL  SERVICE  OF  GOD. 

We  must  love  God  continually,  and  on  all  occa¬ 
sions;  and  for  this  end  we  must  direct  and  offer 
all  to  him,  even  our  indifferent  actions,  such  as 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May. 


419 


our  eating,  diversions,  walking,  breathing,  unit¬ 
ing  all  with  the  actions  of  Jesus  Christ  and  of 
the  Blessed  Virgin  when  on  earth.  Moreover, 
we  must  cheerfully  suffer  all  adverse  and  pain¬ 
ful  things,  conforming  ourselves  and  uniting 
ourselves  to  the  will  of  God  in  whatever  he  is 
pleased  to  do  in  us  and  for  us.  Upon  this  St. 
Teresa  has  left  the  following  excellent  senti¬ 
ments:  “And  what  more  can  we  wish  to  gain  than 
the  testimony  of  doing  what  is  pleasing  to  God?  ” 
And  she  explains  what  this  testimony  is:  “  Whilst 
we  live,  our  gain  does  not  consist  in  endeavoring 
to  enjoy  God,  but  in  doing  his  will.  Great  is  the 
efficacy  of  this  giving  of  our  will  to  God,  for  it 
induces  him  to  unite  himself  to  our  lowliness. 
True  union  is  the  union  of  our  will  with  the  will 
of  God.” 


Thirtieth  Day. 

ON"  A  YEARNING  FOR  PARADISE. 

Let  us  yearn  after  paradise,  where  we  shall 
offend  God  no  more,  and  where  we  shall  ever 
love  him  with  all  our  powers.  When  the  troub¬ 
les  of  this  life  press  heavily  upon  us,  let  us 
animate  ourselves  by  the  hope  of  paradise  to  bear 
them  with  tranquillity.  When  the  world  or  the 
devil  presents  for  our  acceptance  fruits  that  are 
forbidden,  let  us  with  good  courage  turn  our  back 


420 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


upon  them  and  lift  up  our  eyes  to  paradise.  If  the 
dread  of  God’s  judgments  alarm  us,  let  us  nerve 
ourselves  by  hoping  in  the  goodness  of  our  God, 
who,  to  make  us  understand  how  ardently  he  de¬ 
sires  to  give  paradise  to  us,  has  commanded  us, 
under  pain  of  damnation,  to  hope  for  it  through 
his  mercy.  He  has  even  willed  to  purchase  it  at 
the  cost  of  his  blood,  and  of  his  death,  that  so  he 
might  obtain  that  great  blessedness  for  us;  and 
to  assure  us  of  it  the  more,  he  has  been  pleased 
to  give  us  a  pledge  of  it  in  the  gift  of  himself 
to  us  in  the  most  holy  Sacrament  of  the  altar. 

* 

Thirty-first  Day. 

OY  A  HAPPY  DEATH. 

If  the  worldly-minded  have  a  fear  of  losing 
their  good  things,  fleeting  and  miserable  as  they 
are,  much  greater  is  the  fear  that  the  saints  have 
of  losing  God,  who  is  good,  infinite,  and  eternal, 
and  who  promises  to  bestow  himself  in  heaven 
as  a  recompense  upon  him  that  has  loved  him  on 
earth,  admitting  him  to  the  enjoyment  of  his 
beauty  and  of  his  own  happiness.  Hence  as  their 
whole  fear  during  life  has  been  simply  that  of 
sinning,  and  thus  of  losing  the  friendship  of  that 
Lord  whom  they  have  loved  so  well,  so  their 
whole  desire  has  been  to  die  in  the  grace  of  God, 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May. 


421 


and  by  death  to  gain  the  assurance  of  loving  and 
possessing  him  forever. 

Death,  then — that  object  of  the  greatest  terror 
to  souls  attached  to  the  earth — is  what  those  that 
love  God  especially  desire;  for,  says  St.  Bernard, 
it  is  for  these  happy  souls  both  the  termination 
of  their  labors  and  the  gate  of  life.  Hence  we 
see  that,  among  the  saints,  one  would  call  this 
life  a  prison  and  pray  the  Lord  to  deliver 
him  out  of  it:  Deliver  my  soul  from  tlyis  prison. 
Another,  like  St.  Paul,  would  call  it  a  real  death: 
Who  shall  deliver  me  from  this  body  of  death? 

VARIOUS  PRAYERS  TO  MARY. 

DEDICATION  OF  ONE?S  SELF  TO  MARY. 

Most  holy  Virgin  Mary,  Mother  of  God,  I,  N., 
although  most  unworthy  to  be  thy  servant,  yet 
moved  by  thy  wonderful  compassion  and  by  my 
desire  to  serve  thee,  now  choose  thee,  in  presence 
of  my  guardian  angel  and  of  the  whole  celestial 
court,  for  my  special  Lady,  Advocate,  and 
Mother:  and  I  firmly  purpose  always  to  love  and 
serve  thee  for  the  future,  and  to  do  whatever  I 
can  to  induce  others  to  love  and  serve  thee  also. 
I  beseech  thee,  0  Mother  of  God,  and  my  most 
compassionate  and  loving  Mother,  by  the  blood 
which  thy  Son  shed  for  me,  to  receive  me  into 


422 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


the  number  of  thy  servants,  to  be  thy  child  and 
servant  forever.  Assist  me  in  all  my  thoughts, 
words,  and  actions  in  every  moment  of  my  life, 
so  that  every  step  that  I  take,  and  every  breath 
that  I  draw,  may  be  directed  to  the  greater  glory 
of  my  God;  and  through  thy  most  powerful  in¬ 
tercession  may  I  never  more  offend  my  beloved 
Jesus,  but  may  I  glorify  him,  and  love  him  in  this 
life,  and  love  thee,  my  most  beloved  and  dear 
Mother,  and  thus  love  thee  and  enjoy  thee  in 
heaven  for  all  eternity.  Amen. 

My  Mother  Mary,  I  recommend  my  soul  to 
thee,  and  especially  at  the  hour  of  my  death. 

OFFERING  OF  A  FAMILY  TO  MARY. 

Most  blessed  Virgin,  our  immaculate  Queen 
and  Mother,  refuge  and  consolation  of  the  dis¬ 
tressed,  prostrate  before  thy  throne  with  all  my 
family,  I  choose  thee  as  my  patroness,  my  Mother, 
and  my  advocate  with  God.  I  consecrate  my¬ 
self  forever,  with  all  that  belongs  to  me,  to  thy 
service,  and  I  pray  thee,  0  Mother  of  God,  to 
receive  us  into  the  number  of  thy  servants,  taking 
us  into  thy  protection,  succoring  us  during  life 
and  above  all  at  the  hour  of  death.  Bless  me, 
with  all  my  family,  and  permit  not  that  anything 
in  us  should  ever  offend  thy  Son.  Protect  us  in  all 
temptations,  deliver  us  from  all  dangers,  provide 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May.  423 

for  all  our  wants,  counsel  us  in  all  our  doubts, 
console  us  in  all  our  afflictions,  assist  us  in  our 
sickness,  and  especially  in  the  agonies  of  death. 
Permit  not  the  wicked  one  to  boast  of  having 
under  his  dominion  any  of  us  who  are  now  con¬ 
secrated  to  thee;  but  grant  that  we  may  go  to 
heaven  to  thank  thee,  and  together  with  thee  to 
praise  and  love  Jesus  our  Redeemer  for  all  eter¬ 
nity.  Amen.  Thus  may  it  be. 

THE  MEMORARE. 

Remember,  0  most  gracious  Virgin  Mary,  that 
never  was  it  known  that  any  one  who  fled  to  thy 
protection,  implored  thy  help,  and  sought  thy  in¬ 
tercession  was  left  unaided.  Inspired  with  this 
confidence,  I  fly  unto  thee,  0  Virgin  of  virgins, 
my  Mother.  To  thee  I  come;  before  thee  I  stand, 
sinful  and  sorrowful.  0  Mother  of  the  Word 
Incarnate,  despise  not  my  petitions,  but  in  thy 
mercy  hear  and  answer  me.  Amen. 

PRAYERS  FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE 

WEEK. 

The  Sovereign  Pontiff,  Pius  VII.,  by  a  rescript, 
June  21,  1808,  granted  an  indulgence  of  three  hun¬ 
dred  days,  once  a  day,  to  all  the  faithful  who  with  at 
least  contrite  heart  and  devotion  shall  say,  on  the 
days  assigned,  together  with  the  “  Hail  Mary  ”  three 
times,  these  prayers,  to  make  some  reparation  for  the 


424 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


many  blasphemies  uttered,  against  her  not  only  by 
unbelievers,  but  also  by  bad  Christians.  A  plenary 
indulgence,  once  a  month,  to  all  who  having  said 
these  prayers  every  day  for  a  month,  as  directed 
above,  if  being  truly  penitent,  after  confession  and 
Communion,  they  pray  to  God  for  holy  Church. 
These  indulgences,  both  plenary  and  partial,  were 
confirmed  forever  by  his  Holiness  Pope  Pius  IX.,  by 
a  rescript  June  18,  1876. 

Sunday. 

TO  OBTAIN  THE  FORGIVENESS  OF  OUR  SINS. 

Behold,  0  Mother  of  God,  at  thy  feet  a  mis¬ 
erable  sinner,  a  slave  of  hell,  who  has  recourse 
to  thee  and  trusts  in  thee.  I  do  not  deserve  that 

thou  shouldst  even  look  at  me;  but  I  know  that 

« 

thou,  having  seen  thy  Son  die  for  the  salvation 
of  sinners,  hast  the  greatest  desire  to  help  them. 
I  hear  all  call  thee  the  Refuge  of  sinners,  the  hope 
of  those  who  are  in  despair,  and  the  help  of  the 
abandoned.  Help  me,  for  the  love  of  Jesus 
Christ;  extend  thy  hand  to  a  miserable  creature 
who  has  fallen  and  recommends  himself  to  thee. 
I  know  that  thy  pleasure  is  to  help  a  sinner  to 
thy  utmost;  help  me,  therefore,  now  that  thou 
canst  do  so.  By  my  sins  I  have  lost  divine  grace, 
and  with  it  my  soul;  I  now  place  myself  in  thy 
hands.  Tell  me  what  I  must  do  to  recover  the 
favor  of  my  Lord,  and  I  will  immediately  do  it. 
He  sends  me  to  thee  that  thou  mayest  help  me; 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May. 


425 


and  he  wills  that  I  should  have  recourse  to  thy 
mercy,  that  not  only  the  merits  of  thy  Son,  but 
also  that  thy  intercession  may  help  me  to  save 
my  soul.  To  thee,  then,  I  have  recourse;  do 
thou,  who  prayest  for  so  many  others,  pray  also 
to  Jesus  for  me.  Ask  him  to  pardon  me,  and  he 
will  forgive  me;  tell  him  that  thou  desirest  my 
salvation,  and  he  will  save  me;  show  how  thou 
canst  enrich  those  who  trust  in  thee.  Amen. 

Three  Hail  Marys. 

Monday. 

TO  OBTAIN  HOLY  PERSEVERANCE. 

0  Queen  of  heaven,  I,  who  was  once  a  mis¬ 
erable  slave  of  Lucifer,  now  dedicate  myself  to 
thee,  to  be  thy  servant  forever;  I  offer  myself  to 
honor  thee,  and  serve  thee  during  my  whole  life; 
do  thou  accept  me,  and  refuse  me  not,  as  I  should 
deserve.  0  my  Mother,  in  thee  have  I  placed  all 
my  hopes,  from  thee  do  I  expect  every  grace.  I 
bless  and  thank  God,  who  in  his  mercy  has  given 
me  this  confidence  in  thee,  which  I  consider  a 
pledge  of  my  salvation.  Alas,  miserable  wretch 
that  I  am,  I  have  hitherto  fallen  because  I  have 
not  had  recourse  to  thee.  I  now  hope  that, 
through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ  and  thy 
prayers,  I  have  obtained  pardon.  But  I  may 
again  lose  divine  grace;  the  danger  is  not  past. 


426 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


My  enemies  do  not  sleep.  How  many  new  temp¬ 
tations  have  I  still  to  conquer!  Ah,  my  most 
sweet  Lady,  protect  me,  and  permit  me  not  again 
to  become  their  slave:  help  me  at  all  times.  I 
know  that  thou  wilt  help  me,  and  that  with  thy 
help  I  shall  conquer,  if  I  recommend  myself  to 
thee;  but  this  is  what  I  fear — I  fear  that  in  time 
of  danger  I  may  neglect  to  call  upon  thee,  and 
thus  be  lost.  I  ask  thee,  then,  for  this  grace: 
obtain  that,  in  the  assaults  of  hell,  I  may  always 
have  recourse  to  thee,  saying,  Mary,  help  me.  My 
Mother,  permit  me  not  to  lose  my  God. 

Three  Hail  Marys. 

Tuesday. 

TO  OBTAIN  A  GOOD  DEATH. 

0  Mary,  how  shall  I  die?  Even  now,  that  I 
think  of  my  sins,  and  of  that  decisive  moment 
on  which  my  salvation  or  eternal  damnation  de¬ 
pends,  of  that  moment  in  which  I  must  expire 
and  be  judged,  I  tremble  and  am  confounded.  0 
my  most  sweet  Mother,  my  hopes  are  in  the  blood 
of  Jesus  Christ  and  in  thy  intercession.  0  Corn- 
fortress  of  the  afflicted,  do  not,  then,  abandon 
me,  cease  not  to  console  me  in  that  moment  of 
so  great  affliction.  Ah,  my  Lady,  before  death 
obtain  me  great  sorrow  for  my  sins,  thorough 
amendment,  and  fidelity  to  God  during  the  re- 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May.  427 

mainder  of  my  life.  And  when  my  last  moment 
arrives,  0  Mary,  my  hope,  help  me  in  the  great 
distress  in  which  I  shall  then  be;  encourage  me, 
that  I  may  not  despair  at  the  sight  of  my  sins, 
which  the  devil  will  place  before  me.  Obtain 
that  I  may  then  invoke  thee  more  frequently;  so 
that  I  may  expire  with  thy  most  sweet  name  and 
that  of  thy  beloved  Son  on  my  lips.  Nay,  more, 
my  Lady,  hut  forgive  my  boldness,  before  I  expire 
do  thou  come  thyself  and  comfort  me  with  thv 
presence.  Thou  hast  granted  this  favor  to  so 
many  of  thy  devout  servants,  I  also  desire  and 
hope  it.  I  am  a  sinner,  it  is  true;  I  do  not  de¬ 
serve  so  great  a  favor;  hut  I  am  thy  servant,  I 
love  thee  and  have  full  confidence  in  thee.  0 
Mary,  I  shall  expect  thee;  do  not  disappoint  me 
of  this  consolation.  At  least,  if  I  am  not  worthy 
of  so  great  a  favor,  do  thou  help  me  from  heaven, 
that  I  may  leave  this  life  loving  God  and  thee,  to 
love  thee  eternally  in  paradise. 

Three  Hail  Marys. 

Wednesday. 

TO  OBTAIN  DELIVERANCE  FROM  HELL. 

My  most  beloved  Lady,  I  thank  thee  for  hav¬ 
ing  delivered  me  from  hell  as  many  times  as  I 
have  deserved  it  by  my  sins.  Miserable  creature 
that  1  was,  I  was  once  condemned  to  that  prison, 


428 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


and  perhaps  already,  after  the  first  sin,  the  sen¬ 
tence  would  have  been  put  into  execution,  if  thou, 
in  thy  compassion,  hadst  not  helped  me.  Thou, 
without  even  being  asked  by  me,  and  only  in  thy 
goodness,  didst  restrain  divine  Justice;  and  then, 
conquering  my  obduracy,  thou  didst  draw  me  to 
have  confidence  in  thee.  0,  into  how  many  other 
sins  should  I  have  afterwards  fallen,  in  the  dan¬ 
gers  in  which  I  have  been,  hadst  not  thou,  my 
loving  Mother,  preserved  me  by  the  graces  which 
thou  didst  obtain  for  me!  Never  allow  me  to 
turn  my  back  on  thee  and  on  God  who,  by  thy 
means,  has  granted  me  so  many  graces.  My 
Lady,  since  thou  hast  done  so  much  to  save  me, 
complete  the  work,  continue  the  aid.  But  what 
do  I  say?  If  at  a  time  when  I  lived  forgetful  of 
thee  thou  didst  favor  me  so  much,  how  much 
more  may  I  not  hope  for  now  that  I  love  thee  and 
recommend  myself  to  thee!  No,  he  can  never  be 
lost  who  recommends  himself  to  thee;  he  alone  is 
lost  who  has  not  recourse  to  thee.  Ah,  mv 
Mother,  leave  me  not  in  my  own  hands,  for  I 
should  then  be  lost;  grant  that  I  may  always  have 
recourse  to  thee.  Save  me,  my  hope,  save  me 
from  hell;  but,  in  the  first  place,  save  me  from 
sin,  which  alone  can  condemn  me  to  it. 

Three  Hail  Marys. 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May. 


429 


Thursday. 

TO  OBTAIN  HEAVEN. 

0  Queen  of  paradise,  who  reignest  above  all 
the  choirs  of  angels,  and  who  art  the  nearest  of 
all  creatures  to  God,  I,  a  miserable  sinner,  salute 
thee  from  this  valley  of  tears,  and  beseech  thee 
to  turn  thy  compassionate  eyes  towards  me,  for 
whichever  side  they  turn  they  dispense  graces. 
See,  0  Mary,  in  how  many  dangers  I  now  am,  and 
shall  be  as  long  as  I  live  in  this  world,  of  losing 
my  soul,  of  losing  heaven  and  God.  In  thee,  0 
Lady,  I  have  placed  all  my  hopes.  Ah,  Mary, 
when  will  be  that  happy  day  on  which  I  shall 
see  myself  safe  at  thy  feet,  and  contemplate  my 
Mother  who  has  done  so  much  for  my  salvation? 
When  shall  I  kiss  that  hand  which  has  delivered 
me  so  many  times  from  hell,  and  has  dispensed 
me  so  many  graces,  when,  on  account  of  my  sins, 
I  deserved  to  be  hated  and  abandoned  by  all?  I 
thank  God  with  my  whole  heart,  who  gives  me 
firm  confidence  in  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  and 
in  thee,  and  in  the  conviction  that  thou  wilt  save 
me;  that  thou  wilt  deliver  me  from  my  sins;  that 
thou  wilt  give  me  light  and  strength  to  execute 
the  divine  will;  and,  in  fine,  that  thou  wilt  lead 
me  to  the  gate  of  paradise.  Thy  servants  have 
hoped  for  all  this,  and  not  one  of  them  was  de- 


430 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


ceived.  No,  neither  shall  I  he  deceived.  0 
Mary,  my  full  confidence  is  that  thou  hast  to  save 
me.  Beseech  thy  Son  Jesus,  as  I  also  beseech 
him,  by  the  merits  of  his  Passion,  to  preserve  and 
always  increase  this  confidence  in  me,  and  I  shall 
be  saved. 

Three  Hail  Marys. 

Friday. 

TO  OBTAIN  LOVE  TOWARDS  HER  AND  JESUS  CHRIST. 

0  Mary,  I  already  know  that  thou  art  the  most 
noble,  the  most  sublime,  the  most  pure,  the  most 
beautiful,  the  most  benign,  the  most  holy — in  a 
word,  the  most  amiable  of  all  creatures.  0  that 
all  knew  thee,  my  Lady,  and  loved  thee  as  thou 
dost  merit!  But  I  am  consoled  when  I  remem¬ 
ber  that  in  heaven  and  on  earth  there  are  so 
many  happy  souls  who  live  enamored  of  thy  good¬ 
ness  and  beauty.  Above  all,  I  rejoice  that  God 
himself  loves  thee  alone  more  than  he  loves  all 
men  and  angels  together.  I  see  also,  my  Mother, 
that  I  am  indeed  under  great  obligations  to  thy 
Son.  I  see  that  he  merits  infinite  love.  Thou, 
who  desirest  nothing  else  but  to  see  him  loved, 
hast  to  obtain  me  this  grace  above  all  others; 
obtain  me  great  love  for  Jesus  Christ.  Thou  ob- 
tainest  all  that  thou  wiliest  from  God;  ah,  then, 
be  graciously  pleased  to  obtain  me  the  grace  to 


Devotions  for  the  Month  of  May.  431 

be  so  united  to  the  divine  will  that  I  may  never 
more  he  separated  from  it.  I  do  not  ask  of  thee 
earthly  goods,  honors,  or  riches.  I  ask  thee  for 
that  which  thy  heart  desires  most  for  me.  I 
wish  to  love  my  God.  Is  it  possible  that  thou 
refusest  to  second  this  my  desire,  which  is  so 
pleasing  to  thee?  Ah  no,  thou  already  helpest 
me;  already  thou  prayest  for  me.  Pray,  pray,, 
and  cease  not  to  pray  until  thou  seest  me  safe  in 
heaven,  beyond  the  possibility  of  evermore  losing 
m}^  Lord,  and  certain  to  love  him  forever,  to¬ 
gether  with  thee,  my  dearest  Mother. 

Three  Hail  Marys. 

Saturday. 

TO  OBTAIN  HER  PATRONAGE. 

0  my  most  holy  Mother,  I  see  the  graces  which 
thou  hast  obtained  for  me;  and  I  see  the  ingrati¬ 
tude  of  which  I  have  been  guilty  towards  thee. 
An  ungrateful  soul  is  no  longer  worthy  of  favors; 
but  I  will  not  on  this  account  distrust  thy  mercy, 
which  is  greater  than  my  ingratitude.  0  my 
great  advocate,  pity  me.  Thou  dispensest  all  the 
graces  which  God  grants  to  us  miserable  crea¬ 
tures,  and  for  this  purpose  he  has  made  thee  so 
powerful,  so  rich,  and  so  benign.  He  has  done 
so  that  thou  mightest  succor  us  in  our  miseries. 
In  thy  hands,  then,  do  I  place  my  eternal  salva- 


432 


Practices  of  Devotion. 


tion;  to  thee  do  1  intrust  my  soul:  it  was  lost; 
thou,  then,  by  thy  intercession  hast  to  save  it.  I 
wish  to  be  inscribed  amongst  thy  most  devoted 
servants;  reject  me  not.  Thou  seekest  the  mis¬ 
erable  to  relieve  them;  abandon  me  not,  who  am 
a  wretched  sinner,  and'  who  have  recourse  to 
thee.  Speak  for  me;  thy  Son  does  all  that  thou 
askest  him.  Take  me  under  thy  protection;  that 
is  all  that  I  ask.  Yes;  for  if  thou  protectest  me, 
I  fear  nothing.  I  do  not  fear  my  sins;  for  thou 
wilt  obtain  me  a  remedy  for  the  evil  they 
have  done  me.  I  do  not  fear  the  devils;  for  thou 
art  more  powerful  than  all  hell.  I  do  not  even 
fear  Jesus,  my  Judge,  himself;  for  by  a  single 
prayer  of  thine  he  is  appeased.  I  only  fear  that 
by  my  negligence  I  may  cease  to  recommend  my¬ 
self  to  thee,  and  thus  be  lost.  Pray,  then,  to 
Jesus  for  me;  tell  him  that  thou  protectest  me, 
and  then  he  is  sure  to  pity  me.  My  Mother,  in 
thee  too  I  do  trust;  in  this  hope  I  shall  live  in 
peace,  and  in  it  I  wish  to  die. 

Live,  Jesus  our  love,  and  Mary  our  hope!  ‘ 

Three  Hail  Marys. 


PART  THIRD. 


General  prayers. 

MORNING  PRAYERS. 

On  waking  say: 

In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son, 
and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Amen. 

0  my  God,  I  offer  Thee  all  my  thoughts,  words, 
and  actions  of  this  day:  grant  that  they  may  be 
for  Thy  greater  glory  and  the  good  of  my  soul. 

Then  dress,  and  kneeling  before  a  crucifix  or 
devout  picture,  say: 

AN  ACT  OF  ADORATION". 

0  great  God,  sovereign  Lord  of  heaven  and 
earth,  I  prostrate  myself  before  Thee.  With  all 
the  angels  and  saints  I  adore  Thee.  I  acknowl¬ 
edge  Thee  to  he  my  Creator  and  my  sovereign 
Lord,  my  first  beginning  and  my  last  end.  I  ren¬ 
der  Thee  the  homage  of  my  being  and  life.  I 
submit  myself  to  Thy  holy  will,  and  1  devote  my¬ 
self  to  Thy  divine  service,  this  day  and  forever. 

433 


434 


General  Prayers. 


A N  ACT  OF  FAITH. 


0  my  God,  I  firmly  believe  all  the  sacred  truths 
Thy  holy  Catholic  Church  believes  and  teaches, 
because  Thou  hast  revealed  them,  who  neither 
eanst  deceive  nor  be  deceived. 

AX  ACT  OF  HOPE. 


0  my  God,  relying  upon  Thy  infinite  goodness 
and  promises,  I  hope  to  obtain  the  pardon  of  my 
sins,  the  assistance  of  Thy  grace,  and  life  ever¬ 
lasting,  through  the  merits  of  Our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 


AN  ACT  OF  CHARITY. 

0  my  God,  I  love  Thee  with  my  whole  heart 
and  soul,  purely  because  Thou  art  infinitely 
worthy  and  deserving  of  my  love.  I  love  also  my 
neighbor  as  myself,  for  the  love  of  Thee;  I  for¬ 
give  all  who  have  injured  me,  and  ask  pardon  of 
all  whom  I  have  injured. 

THE  LORD’S  PRAYER. 

Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  hallowed  he 
Thy  name;  Thy  kingdom  come;  Thy  will  be  done 
on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven.  Give  us  this  day  our 
daily  bread;  and  forgive  us  our  trespasses  as  we 
forgive  those  who  trespass  against  us;  and  lead 


Morning  Prayers.  435 

ns  not  into  temptation;  but  deliver  us  from  evil.. 
Amen. 


THE  ANGELICAL  SALUTATION. 

Hail,  Mary,  full  of  grace,  the  Lord  is  with  thee;, 
blessed  art  thou  among  women,  and  blessed  is  the 
fruit  of  thy  womb,  Jesus.  Holy  Mary,  Mother  of 
God,  pray  for  us  sinners  now,  and  at  the  hour 
of  our  death.  Amen. 

THE  APOSTLES’  CREED. 

I  believe  in  God,  the  Father  Almighty,  Creator 
of  heaven  and  earth;  and  in  Jesus  Christ,  his 
only  Son,  Our  Lord,  who  was  conceived  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  suffered 
under  Pontius  Pilate,  was  crucified;  died,  and  was 
buried;  he  descended  into  hell;  the  third  day 
he  rose  again  from  the  dead;  he  ascended  into 
heaven,  sitteth  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  the 
Father  Almighty;  from  thence  he  shall  come  to 
judge  the  living  and  the  dead.  I  believe  in  the 
Holy  Ghost,  the  holy  Catholic  Church,  the  com¬ 
munion  of  saints,  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  the 
resurrection  of  the  body,  and  life  everlasting. 
Amen. 

THE  CONFITEOR. 

I  confess  to  Almighty  God,  to  blessed  Mary,, 
ever  virgin,  to  blessed  Michael  the  Archangel,  to 


436 


General  Prayers. 


blessed  John  the  Baptist,  to  the  holy  apostles 
Peter  and  Paul,  and  to  all  the  saints,  that  I  have 
sinned  exceedingly  in  thought,  word,  and  deed, 
through  my  fault,  through  my  fault,  through  my 
most  grievous  fault.  Therefore  I  beseech  the 
blessed  Mary,  ever  virgin,  blessed  Michael  the 
Archangel,  blessed  John  the  Baptist,  the  holy 
apostles  Peter  and  Paul,  and  all  the  saints,  to 
pray  to  the  Lord  our  God  for  me. 

May  the  Almighty  God  have  mercy  on  me,  for¬ 
give  me  my  sins,  and  bring  me  to  life  everlasting. 
Amen. 

May  the  almighty  and  merciful  Lord  grant  me 
pardon,  absolution,  and  remission  of  my  sins. 
Amen. 

OFFERING  TO  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN. 

To  thee,  0  holy  Mary,  my  sovereign  mistress, 
to  thy  blessed  trust  and  special  charge,  and  to  the 
bosom  of  thy  mercy,  this  day,  and  every  day,  and 
at  the  hour  of  my  death,  I  commend  myself,  my 
soul  and  my  body  ;  to  thee  I  commit  all  my  hope 
and  all  my  consolation,  my  distresses  and  my  mis¬ 
eries,  my  life  and  the  end  thereof;  that  through 
thy  most  holy  intercession,  and  through  thy  mer¬ 
its,  all  my  works  may  be  directed  and  disposed 
according  to  thy  will  and  the  will  of  thy  Son. 
Amen. 


Morning  Prayers. 


437 


THE  LITANY  OF  THE  MOST  HOLY  NAME  OF  JESUS. 

(Form  to  which  an  indulgence  of  three  hundred 
days  was  granted  by  Pope  Pius  IX.,  who  suppressed 
all  other  forms.) 

Lord,  have  mercy  on  us. 

Christ,  have  mercy  on  us. 

Lord,  have  mercy  on  us. 

Jesus,  hear  us. 

J esus,  graciously  hear  us. 

God  the  Father  of  heaven, 

God  the  Son,  Redeemer  of  the  world', 

God  the  Holy  Ghost, 

Holy  Trinity,  one  God, 

Jesus,  Son  of  the  living  God, 

Jesus,  splendor  of  the  Father, 

Jesus,  brightness  of  eternal  light, 

Jesus,  king  of  glory, 

Jesus,  sun  of  justice, 

Jesus,  Son  of  the  Virgin  Mary, 

Jesus  amiable, 

Jesus  admirable, 

Jesus,  the  powerful  God, 

Jesus,  father  of  the  world  to  come, 

Jesus,  angel  of  the  great  council, 

Jesus  most  powerful, 


Have  mercy  on  us. 


438 


General  Prayers. 


Jesus  most  patient,  1 

J esus  most  obedient, 

J esus  meek  and  humble  of  heart, 

Jesus,  lover  of  chastity, 

Jesus,  lover  of  us, 

Jesus,  God  of  peace, 

Jesus,  author  of  life, 

J  esus,  model  of  all  virtues, 

Jesus,  zealous  for  souls, 

Jesus,  our  God, 

Jesus,  our  refuge, 

Jesus,  father  of  the  poor, 

Jesus,  treasure  of  the  faithful, 

Jesus,  good  shepherd, 

Jesus,  true  light, 

Jesus,  eternal  wisdom, 

J  esus,  infinite  goodness, 

Jesus,  our  way  and  our  life, 

Jesus,  joy  of  angels, 

Jesus,  king  of  the  patriarchs, 

Jesus,  master  of  the  apostles, 

Jesus,  teacher  of  the  evangelists, 

Jesus,  strength  of  martyrs, 

Jesus,  light  of  confessors, 

Jesus,  purity  of  virgins, 

Jesus,  crown  of  all  saints, 

Be  merciful.  Spare  us,  0  Jesus! 

Be  merciful.  Graciously  hear  us,  0  Jesus! 


Have  mercy  on  us. 


Morning  Prayers. 


439 


From  all  evil, 

From  all  sin, 

From  Thy  wrath, 

From  the  snares  of  the  devil, 

From  the  spirit  of  fornication, 

From  everlasting  death, 

From  neglect  of  Thy  inspirations, 

By  the  mystery  of  Thy  holy  Incarnation, 

By  Thy  nativity, 

By  Thy  infancy, 

By  Thy  most  divine  life, 

By  Thy  labors, 

By  Thy  agony  and  Passion, 

By  Thy  cross  and  dereliction. 

By  Thy  languors, 

By  Thy  death  and  burial. 

By  Thy  resurrection, 

By  Thy  ascension, 

By  Thy  joys, 

By  Thy  glory, 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
world,  Spare  us,  0  Jesus! 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
world,  Graciously  hear  us,  0  Jesus! 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
world,  Have  mercy  on  us,  0  Jesus! 

Jesus,  hear  us. 

J esus,  graciously  hear  us. 


Deliver  us,  0  Jesus . 


440 


General  Prayers. 


Let  us  Pray. 

0  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  hast  said,  “Ask,  and 
}7e  shall  receive;  seek,  and  ye  shall  find;  knock, 
and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you,”  mercifully  at¬ 
tend  to  our  supplications,  and  grant  us  the  gift 
of  Thy  divine  charity,  that  we  may  ever  love  Thee 
with  our  whole  hearts,  and  never  desist  from  Thy 
praise. 

Give  us,  0  Lord,  a  perpetual  fear  and  love  of 
Thy  holy  name,  for  Thou  never  eeasest  to  direct 
and  govern  by  Thy  grace  those  whom  Thou  in- 
structest  in  the  solidity  of  Thy  love:  who  livest 
and  reignest  world  without  end.  Amen. 

PLAYERS  DURING  THE  DAY. 

THE  ANGELUS. 

To  be  said  morning,  noon,  and  night,  to  put  us  in 
mind  that  God  the  Son  became  man  for  our  sal¬ 
vation. 

The  angel  of  the  Lord  declared  unto  Mary: 
And  she  conceived  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord:  Be  it  done 
unto  me  according  to  thy  word. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

And  the  Word  was  made  flesh:  And  dwelt 
among  us. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 


Prayers  Daring  the  Day. 


441 


V.  Pray  for  us,  0  holy  Mother  of  God. 

B.  That  we  may  be  made  worthy  of  the  prom¬ 
ises  of  Christ. 

Let  us  Pray. 

Pour  forth,  we  beseech  Thee,  0  Lord,  Thy 
grace  into  our  hearts,  that  we,  to  whom  the  Incar¬ 
nation  of  Christ,  Thy  Son,  was  made  known  by 
the  message  of  an  angel,  may,  by  His  Passion  and 
cross,  be  brought  to  the  glory  of  the  resurrection. 
Through  the  same  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

During  the  Paschal  season,  that  is,  from  Holy 
Saturday  at  noon  to  Trinity  Eve  at  noon,  instead  of 
the  foregoing,  is  said,  standing : 

THE  REGINA  CCELI. 

Queen  of  heaven,  rejoice.  Alleluia. 

For  he  whom  thou  wast  made  worthy  to  bear. 
Alleluia. 

Hath  risen  as  he  said.  Alleluia. 

Pray  for  us  to  our  God.  Alleluia; 

V.  Rejoice  and  be  glad,  0  Virgin  Mary. 
Alleluia. 

R.  For  the  Lord  hath  risen  indeed.  Alleluia. 

Let  us  Pray. 

God,  who  through  the  resurrection  of  Thy 
Son,  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  hast  vouchsafed  to 
make  glad  the  whole  world,  grant  us,  we  beseech 


442 


General  Prayers. 


Thee,  that,  through  the  intercession  of  the  Virgin 
Mary,  his  Mother,  we  may  attain  the  joys  of  eter¬ 
nal  life.  Through  the  same  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


EVENING!  PLAYERS. 

In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Amen. 

Say  the  Act  of  Adoration,  page  433,  the  Acts  of 
Faith,  Hope,  and  Charity,  ,*pag9  434,  the  “  Our 
Father,”  “  ..mil  Mary,”  “  I  believe  in  God,”  etc. 

Let  us  return  thanks  to  God  for  the  favors  be¬ 
stowed  on  us. 

How  shall  I  be  able  to  thank  Thee,  0  Lord,  for 
all  Thy  favors?  Thou  hast  thought  of  me  from 
all  eternity;  Thou  hast  brought  me  forth  from 
nothing;  Thou  hast  given  Thy  life  to  redeem  me, 
and  Thou  continuest  still,  daily,  to  load  me  with 

1 

Thy  favors.  Alas,  my  God!  what  return  can  I 
make  Thee  for  all  Thy  benefits,  and  in  particular 
for  the  favors  of  this  day?  Join  me,  ye  blessed 
spirits,  and  all  ye  elect,  in  praising  the  God  of 
mercies,  who  is  so  bountiful  to  so  unworthy  a 
creature. 

Let  us  beg  of  God  to  make  known  our  sins  to  us. 

0  Holy  Ghost,  eternal  source  of  light,  remove 
my  darkness,  and  dispel  those  shades  that  hide 
from  me  the  filth  and  enormity  of  my  offences. 


Evening  Pro yers. 


443 


Show  me,  I  beseech  Thee,  the  sins  I  have  this 

3  co  flitted,  in  thought,  word,  and  action.. 
Grant  me  a  feeling  sense  of  them,  that  I  may  de¬ 
test  them  all  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  and 
dread  nothing  so  much  as  ever  to  commit  them 
hereafter. 

Let  us  examine  our  conscience,  and  consider  where 
we  have  been  this  day,  and  in  what  company.  Let 
us  call  to  mind  the  duties  of  our  state,  and  our  dif¬ 
ferent  offences. 

Against  God .  By  omissions,  negligence  in  our 
religious  duties,  irreverence  in  church,  wilful  dis¬ 
tractions  in  prayer,  faults  in  our  intentions, 
resistance  to  divine  grace,  oaths,  murmurings,, 
want  of  confidence,  and  resignation. 

Against  our  neighbor.  By  rash  judgments,  ha¬ 
tred,  jealousy,  contempt,  desire  of  revenge,  quar¬ 
relling,  passion,  imprecations,  injuries,  detraction,, 
raillery,  false  reports,  damaging  either  in  goods 
or  reputation,  bad  example,  scandal,  want  of 
obedience,  respect,  charity,  or  fidelity. 

Against  ourselves.  By  vanity,  human  respect,, 
lies;  by  thoughts,  desires,  discourse,  or  actions 
contrary  to  purity;  by  intemperance,  rage,  impa¬ 
tience;  by  a  useless  and  sensual  life,  or  sloth  in 
complying  with  the  duties  of  our  state. 

Then  recite  the  Confiteor,  page  435. 


444 


General  Prayers. 


A  FIRM  PURPOSE  OF  AMENDMENT. 

0  eternal  God,  against  whom  I  have  sinned, 
I  wish  from  my  heart  that  I  had  never  offended 
Thee;  but  as  I  have  been  so  unhappy,  grant  me 
now  grace  nevermore  to  offend  Thee.  Thou  wili¬ 
est  not  the  death  of  a  sinner,  but  rather  that  he 
be  converted  and  live.  Convert  me,  then,  and  I 
shall  be  converted.  Have  mercy  on  me  accord¬ 
ing  to  Thy  great  mercy,  and  according  to  the 
multitude  of  Thy  tender  mercies  blot  out  my  in¬ 
iquities.  I  renounce  all  sin,  and  firmly  purpose 
to  shun  all  the  occasions  of  it,  and  to  walk  hence¬ 
forth  in  the  path  of  Thy  commandments.  This 
is  my  fixed  resolution,  which  I  hope  I  shall  faith¬ 
fully  keep,  relying  upon  Thee,  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

THE  LITANY  OF  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN. 

(An  indulgence  of  three  hundred  days  each  time.) 

Lord,  have  mercy. 

Christ ,  have  mercy. 

Lord,  have  mercy. 

Christ,  hear  us. 

Christ ,  graciously  hear  us. 

God  the  Father  of  heaven,  Have  mercy  on  us . 

God  the  Son,  Redeemer  of  the  world,  Have 
mercy  on  us. 


Evening  Prayers. 


445 


God  the  Holy  Ghost,  Have  mercy  on  us. 
Holy  Trinity,  one  God,  Have  mercy  on  us. 
Holy  Mary, 

Holy  Mother  of  God, 

Holy  Virgin  of  virgins, 

Mother  of  Christ, 

Mother  of  divine  grace, 

Mother  most  pure, 

Mother  most  chaste. 

Mother  inviolate, 

Mother  nndefiled, 

Mother  most  amiable, 

Mother  most  admirable, 

Mother  of  our  Creator, 

Mother  of  our  Saviour, 

Virgin  most  prudent. 

Virgin  most  venerable, 

Virgin  most  renowned, 

Virgin  most  powerful. 

Virgin  most  merciful. 

Virgin  most  faithful, 

Mirror  of  justice, 

Seat  of  wisdom. 

Cause  of  our  joy, 

Spiritual  vessel, 

Vessel  of  honor, 

Singular  vessel  of  devotion. 

Mystical  rose. 


446 


General  Prayers, 


Tower  of  David, 

Tower  of  ivory. 

House  of  gold, 

Ark  of  the  covenant, 

Gate  of  heaven, 

Morning  star, 

Health  of  the  sick, 

Eefuge  of  sinners, 

Comforter  of  the  afflicted, 

Help  of  Christians, 

Queen  of  angels, 

Queen  of  patriarchs, 

Queen  of  prophets, 

Queen  of  apostles, 

Queen  of  martyrs. 

Queen  of  confessors, 

Queen  of  virgins, 

Queen  of  all  saints, 

Queen  conceived  without  original  sin,  Pray 
for  us. 

Queen  of  the  most  holy  Eosary^  Pray  for 
us. 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
world,  Spare  us,  0  Lord! 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
world,  Graciously  hear  us,  0  Lord! 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
world,  Have  mercy  on  us! 


8 

Co 


Evening  Prayers.  44? 

V.  May  the  divine  assistance  always  remain 
with  us. 

E.  Amen. 

V.  And  may  the  sonls  of  the  faithful  departed, 
through  the  mercy  of  God,  rest  in  peace. 

R.  Amen. 

Let  us  Pray. 

Defend,  we  beseech  Thee,  0  Lord,  through  the 
intercession  of  the  blessed  Mary,  ever  virgin,  this 
family  from  all  adversity;  and  as  in  all  humility 
they  prostrate  themselves  before  Thee,  do  Thou 
mercifully  protect  them  against  all  the  snares  of 
their  enemies;  through  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

Pour  down  Thy  blessing,  0  Lord,  on  Thy  holy 
Church;  on  our  holy  Father,  the  Pope;  on  this 
diocese;  on  our  most  reverend  Archbishop,  and  all 
pastors  of  souls;  on  this  country;  on  our  rulers, 
and  all  superiors,  temporal  and  spiritual;  on  this 
congregation;  on  this  family;  on  our  parents,  re¬ 
lations,  benefactors,  friends,  and  enemies.  Help 
the  poor,  the  sick,  and  those  that  are  in  their 
agony;  convert  all  heretics,  and  enlighten  the  in¬ 
fidels. 

Let  us  pray  for  the  souls  of  all  the  faithful  de¬ 
parted,  particularly  for  those  of  our  friends  and 
benefactors.  ' 


448 


General  Prayers. 


De  Profundis. 

Out  of  the  depths  I  have  cried  to  Thee,  0  Lord: 
Lord,  hear  my  voice. 

Let  Thy  ears  be  attentive  to  the  voice  of  my 
supplication. 

If  Thou,  0  Lord,  wilt  mark  iniquities.  Lord, 
who  shall  stand? 

For  with  Thee  there  is  merciful  forgiveness; 
and  by  reason  of  Thy  law  I  have  waited  for  Thee, 
0  Lord. 

My  soul  hath  relied  on  his  word:  my  soul  hath 
hoped  in  the  Lord. 

From  the  morning  watch,  even  until  night,  let 
Israel  hope  in  the  Lord. 

Because  with  the  Lord  there  is  mercy,  and  with 
him  plentiful  redemption. 

And  he  shall  redeem  Israel  from  all  his  in¬ 
iquities. 

V.  Eternal  rest  give  unto  them,  0  Lord! 

B.  And  let  perpetual  light  shine  upon  them. 

V.  May  they  rest  in  peace. 

B.  Amen. 

V.  0  Lord,  hear  my  prayer. 

B.  And  let  my  cry  come  unto  Thee. 


Evening  Prayers. 


449 


Let  us  Pray. 

0  God,  the  Creator  and  Redeemer  of  all  the 
faithful,  grant  to  the  souls  of  Thy  servants  de¬ 
parted  the  remission  of  all  their  sins,  that 
through  pious  supplications  they  may  obtain  that 
pardon  which  they  have  always  desired,  who  liv- 
est  and  reignest,  world  without  end.  Amen. 

Let  us  recommend  our  rest  to  God,  to  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  and  the  saints. 

V.  Vouchsafe,  0  Lord,  this  night  to  keep  us 
without  sin. 

E.  Have  mercy  on  us,  0  Lord,  have  mercy  on 
us. 

PRAYER  FOR  PROTECTION  DURING  THE  NIGHT. 

0  angel  of  God,  to  whose  holy  care  I  am  com¬ 
mitted  by  the  supreme  clemency,  enlighten,  de¬ 
fend,  and  protect  me  this  night  from  all  sin  and 
danger.  Amen. 

Visit,  we  beseech  Thee,  0  Lord,  this  habitation, 
and  drive  from  it  all  the  snares  of  the  enemy.  Let 
Thy  holy  angels  dwell  herein,  to  preserve  us  in 
peace;  and  may  Thy  blessing  be  upon  us  forever, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

God  the  Father,  bless  us;  Jesus  Christ,  defend 
and  keep  us;  the  virtue  of  the  Holy  Ghost  en¬ 
lighten  and  sanctify  us  this  night  and  forever; 


450 


General  Prayers. 


and  may  the  souls  of  the  faithful  departed, 
through  the  mercy  of  God,  rest  in  peace.  Amen. 

Bless,  0  Lord,  the  repose  I  am  going  to  take  in 
order  to  renew  my  strength,  that  I  may  be  better 
able  to  serve  Thee.  0  all  ye  saints  and  angels, 
but  chiefly  thou,  0  Mother  of  God,  intercede  for 
me  this  night  and  during  the  rest  of  my  life,  hut 
particularly  at  the  hour  of  my  death. 

May  the  divine  assistance  remain  always  with 
us.  Amen. 


DEVOUT  METHOD  OF  HEARING  MASS 
IN  HONOR  OF  THE  BLESSED 
VIRGIN  MARY. 

The  following  method  of  hearing  Mass  may  be 
used  on  Saturdays,  on  the  festivals  established  by 
the  Church  in  honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  or 
on  any  other  occasion,  according  to  a  person’s 
devotion. 

In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Amen. 

AT  THE  BEGINNING  OF  MASS. 

In  the  name  of  the  Father,  etc. 

0  infinite  Creator  and  merciful  God!  Thou  hast 
been  pleased,  by  the  Incarnation  of  Thy  only  be¬ 
gotten  Son,  to  repair  the  losses  caused  by  the 


Mass  in  Honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 


451 


disobedience  of  our  first  parents;  and  at  the  time 
appointed  by  Thy  eternal  wisdom  Thou  didst  send 
the  angel  Gabriel  to  that  chosen  maid  who,  by 
becoming  the  Mother  of  the  Kedeemer,  crushed 
the  infernal  serpent’s  head  and  brought  salva¬ 
tion  to  all  mankind.  Do  Thou,  0  Lord,  who 
displayed  Thy  infinite  power  in  forgiving  and 
showing  mercy  to  poor  sinners,  give  ear  to  our 
humble  prayers,  and  grant  that  we,  who  firmly 
believe  that  Thy  Eternal  Son  became  man  in  the 
chaste  womb  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  and 
that  she  is,  therefore,  truly  the  Mother  of  God, 
may  be  helped  by  her  prayers.  I  adore  Thee,  0 
my  God,  in  this  profound  mystery,  the  fruits 
whereof  were  first  felt  by  the  precursor,  who,  at 
the  words  of  Mary’s  salutation  to  St.  Elizabeth, 
was  sanctified  in  his  mother’s  womb.  Let  us 
give  praise  to  God,  for  he  is  good,  and  his  mercy 
endureth  forever.  My  soul  doth  magnify  the 
Lord;  my  spirit  rejoiceth  in  God  my  Saviour. 
But  I  am  unworthy,  0  Lord,  of  Thy  favors. 
What  am  I  but  a  miserable  worm  of  the  earth; 
how  can  I  dare  to  appear  before  Thee,  0  my  God? 

I  confess  to  Almighty  God,  to  the  blessed  and 
immaculate  Mary,  ever  virgin,  to  St.  Michael  the 
Archangel,  to  St.  John  the  Baptist,  to  the  holy 
apostles  Peter  and  Paul,  and  to  all  the  saints,  that 
I  have  sinned  in  thought,  word,  and  deed,  through 


452 


General  Prayers. 


my  fault,  through  my  fault,  through  my  most 
grievous  fault.  Therefore  I  beseech  the  blessed 
and  immaculate  Mary,  ever  virgin,  blessed 
Michael  the  Archangel,  blessed  John  the  Baptist, 
the  holy  apostles  Peter  and  Paul,  and  all  the 
saints,  to  pray  to  the  Lord  our  God  for  me. 

May  the  Almighty  God  have  mercy  on  me,  for¬ 
give  me  my  sins,  and  bring  me  to  everlasting  life. 
Amen. 

May  the  almighty  and  merciful  Lord  grant  me 
pardon,  absolution,  and  remission  of  all  my  sins. 
Amen. 

To  thee,  0  merciful  Queen  of  heaven  and  earth, 
I  have  recourse.  It  has  never  been  heard  of  that 
any  one  invoked  thee  and  was  forsaken.  Plead 
for  me  before  thy  divine  Son  and  obtain  for  me 
the  pardon  of  my  sins. 

AT  THE  INTROIT. 

Hail,  holy  Mother,  who  didst  bring  forth  the 
King  who  reigns  over  heaven  and  earth  forever! 

Hail,  Mary,  full  of  grace!  the  Lord  is  with 
thee;  blessed  art  thou  amongst  women,  and 
blessed  is  the  fruit  of  thy  womb,  Jesus.  Holy 
Mary,  Mother  of  God,  pray  for  us  sinners  now  and 
at  the  hour  of  our  death.  Amen. 


Mass  in  Hoyior  of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  453 


THE  KYRIE  ELEISON. 

0  Lord,  have  mercy  on  me!  0  Jesus,  have 
mercy  on  me!  0  Lord  Jesus,  have  mercy  on  me, 
a  sinner! 

0  Mary,  Refuge  of  sinners,  pray  for  me! 

AT  THE  GLORIA  IN  EXCELSIS. 

Glory  be  to  God  on  high,  and  peace  on  earth 
to  men  of  good  will.  0  my  God!  I  unite  my 
praises  with  those  which  the  heavenly  spirits  sang 
to  Thee  on  that  night,  when  Thy  beloved  Son, 
made  man,  was  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary  in  the 
stable  of  Bethlehem.  My  heart  is  full  of  glad¬ 
ness,  because  for  my  salvation  the  Word  of  God 
was  made  man,  and  dwelt  among  men.  Glory, 
praise,  and  adoration  be  to  God  the  Father,  to 
God  the  Son,  and  to  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  three 
persons  in  one  God.  0  holy  Virgin  Mary,  thou 
art  the  glorious  Mother  of  my  Redeemer.  Re¬ 
member  the  joy  thy  immaculate  and  maternal 
heart  did  feel  when  for  the  first  time  thou  didst 
behold,  adore,  and  embrace  thy  God  and  thy  in¬ 
fant  Son  in  the  stable  of  Bethlehem.  0  blessed 
Mother  of  God,  pray  to  thy  Son,  that  I  may  be 
made  partaker  of  the  joy  of  heaven.  Amen. 


454 


General  Prayers. 


AT  THE  COLLECT. 

Grant,  we  beseech  Thee,  0  Almighty  God,  that 
Thy  faithful,  who  rejoice  under  the  name  and 
protection  of  the  most  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  may, 
by  her  pious  intercession,  be  delivered  from  all 
evils  here  on  earth,  and  be  brought  to  the  eternal 
joy  of  heaven.  Through  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

FOR  THE  CHURCH. 

Mercifully  hear,  0  Lord,  the  prayers  of  Thy 
Church,  that  all  opposition  and  error  being  re¬ 
moved,  she  may  serve  Thee  with  undisturbed 
devotion. 

FOR  THE  POPE. 

0  Lord  God,  the  pastor  and  ruler  of  all  the 
faithful,  look  down  on  Thy  servant  1ST.,  whom 
Thou  hast  appointed  pastor  over  Thy  Church, 
and  grant,  we  beseech  Thee,  that  he  may  edify, 
both  by  word  and  example,  those  who  are  under 
his  charge,  and  that  with  the  flock  entrusted  to 
him  he  may  arrive  at  eternal  happiness.  Through 
Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

AT  THE  EPISTLE. 

0  almighty  and  merciful  God,  who  never  ceas- 
est  to  direct  our  hearts  to  the  knowledge  of  Thy 


Mass  in  Honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 


455 


law,  to  instruct  us  through  the  ministry  of  Thy 
holy  Church,  grant  that  we  may  faithfully  attend 
to  the  lessons  of  salvation  which  Thou  givest  us. 
May  Thy  holy  word  fructify  in  the  soil  of  our 
hearts;  may  our  souls  he  guided  by  Thy  holy  law, 
and  directed  to  the  possession  of  Thee.  0  God, 
have  mercy  on  us,  and  bring  us  to  Thee,  as  by 
the  appearance  of  a  miraculous  star  Thou  didst 
bring  the  Wise  Men  to  the  stable  of  Bethlehem, 
where  they  found  and  adored  the  Saviour  in  the 
arms  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  his  holy 
Mother,  and  offered  him,  with  their  hearts,  their 
mysterious  presents.  0  blessed  Mary,  obtain  for 
us  the  grace  to  follow  the  inspirations  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  amid  the  perils  that  beset  our  path  in 
this  world,  to  direct  our  steps  in  the  way  of  sal¬ 
vation.  0  Mary,  guide  us  to  Jesus, 

...  by  the  light  of  thee, 

0  bright  and  shining  Star  of  the  sea! 

AT  THE  GOSPEL. 

My  dear  Redeemer,  I  give  Thee  thanks  for  the 
inestimable  favor  Thou  hast  bestowed  upon  me, 
by  calling  me  to  the  knowledge  of  Thy  holy  Gos¬ 
pel,  and  making  me  a  child  of  the  one  holy 
Catholic  and  Apostolic  Church.  I  believe  and 
confess  all  and  each  of  the  articles  of  faith  which 
Thou  hast  revealed  to  Thy  Church,  and  which 


456 


General  Prayers. 


the  same  Church  proposes  and  teaches.  I  am 
ready,  if  it  be  Thy  will,  to  shed  the  last  drop  of 
my  blood  for  my  faith.  I  return  Thee  thanks  for 
that  love  which  prompted  Thee  to  leave  to  Thy 
Church  in  the  holy  Sacrament  of  the  altar  Thy 
body  and  blood,  Thy  soul  and  divinity.  I  believe, 
0  Lord,  that  Thou  art  really  present  in  the  Holy 
Eucharist.  When  with  the  eyes  of  faith  I  see  my 
Lord  upon  the  altar,  I  can  say:  “Now,  0  Lord, 
let  Thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  for  my  eyes  have 
seen  my  salvation.” 

0  sweet  Mary!  Thou  didst  bring  thy  holy  Son 
to  the  Temple,  and  didst  offer  him  to  the  Eternal 
Father.  The  holy  man,  Simeon,  received  Jesus 
in  his  arms  from  thy  hands.  Oh,  bring  my 
Saviour  into  my  poor  heart,  that  I  may  love 
nothing  else  but  him  and  thee.  Amen. 

If  the  Credo  be  said  at  Mass,  say  the  Apostles’ 
Creed. 


AT  THE  OFFERTORY. 

0  holy  Father,  almighty  and  eternal  God,  ac¬ 
cept  from  the  hands  of  Thy  minister  the  unspot¬ 
ted  Host,  which  he  offers  Thee  in  the  name  of 
the  Church,  for  the  honor,  glory,  and  adoration 
of  Thy  divine  Majesty,  in  memory  of  the  nativity, 
life,  sufferings,  death,  resurrection,  and  ascension 
of  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  honor  of  the 


Mass  in  Honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 


457 


Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  and  of  all  the  saints.  In 
the  spirit  of  humility  and  contrition  of  heart  I 
now  offer  to  Thee,  0  Lord,  this  bread  and  wine, 
which,  through  the  words  of  benediction,  which 
Christ  our  Lord  instituted  at  the  Last  Supper, 
will  he  changed  into  the  body  and  blood  of  Thy 
divine  Son,  Our  Saviour.  Come,  0  almighty  and 
eternal  God,  the  sanctifier,  and  bless  this  sacrifice 
prepared  for  the  praise  and  glory  of  Thy  holy 
name.  Receive,  0  Lord,  this  sacrifice  to  the 
praise  and  glory  of  Thy  infinite  Majesty,  to  our 
benefit,  and  to  that  of  the  whole  Church,  and  also 
to  the  honor  of  the  blessed  Mother  of  Jesus 
Christ,  that  she  may  vouchsafe  to  intercede  for 
us  in  heaven  whose  memory  we  celebrate  on 
earth.  Through  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

0  merciful  God,  direct  and  assist  me  in  the 
dangers  of  this  life,  as  Thou  didst  direct  Mary, 
the  blessed  Mother  of  Jesus,  and  her  pure  spouse, 
St.  Joseph,  in  their  flight  into  Egypt.  0  Lord, 
save  Thy  servants,  who  repose  all  their  confidence 
in  Thee,  and  who  honor  Thy  blessed  Mother. 


SECRET. 

May  this  oblation  procure  us  peace  and  happi¬ 
ness  here  and  hereafter,  through  the  intercession 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 


458 


General  Prayers. 


FOR  THE  CHURCH. 

Protect  us,  0  Lord,  while  we  assist  at  Thy 
sacred  mysteries,  that  being  employed  in  acts  of 
religion  we  may  serve  Thee  both  in  body  and 
mind. 


FOR  THE  POPE. 

Be  appeased,  0  Lord,  with  the  offering  we  have 
made,  and  cease  not  to  protect  Thy  servant,  N., 
whom  Thou  hast  been  pleased  to  appoint  Pastor 
over  Thy  Church.  Through  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


AT  THE  PREFACE. 

It  is  truly  meet  and  .just,  right  and  available 
to  salvation,  that  we  should  always,  and  in  all 
places,  give  thanks  to  Thee,  0  holy  Lord,  Father 
Almighty,  eternal  God,  and  bless  and  glorify 
Thee,  on  the  veneration  of  the  blessed  Mary,  ever 
virgin,  who,  by  the  overshadowing  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  conceived  Thy  only  begotten  Son,  and  her 
virginity  still  remaining,  brought  forth  the  eter¬ 
nal  Light  of  the  world,  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  By 
whom  the  angels  praise  Thy  Majesty,  the  domina¬ 
tions  adore  it,  the  powers  tremble  before  it,  the 
heavens,  the  heavenly  virtues  and  blessed  sera¬ 
phim  with  common  jubilee  glorify  it.  Together 


Mass  in  Honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 


459 


with  whom  we  beseech  Thee,  that  we  may  be  ad¬ 
mitted  to  join  our  humble  voices,  saying: 

Holy,  holy,  holy,  Lord  God  of  Sabaoth;  the 
heavens  and  the  earth  are  full  of  Thy  glory. 
Hosanna  in  the  highest.  Blessed  is  he  that  com- 
eth  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  Hosanna  in  the 
highest. 

AT  THE  CANON. 

0  Almighty  God!  Thy  beloved  Son  and  my  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  hath  commanded  me,  by  his  words 
and  examples,  to  be  always  occupied  with  the 
things  that  are  Thine.  It  was  in  the  Temple  that 
his  blessed  Mother  and  St.  Joseph  found  him 
on  the  third  day  after  his  departure  from  them. 
Grant  that  I  may  never  depart  from  Thee  by  sin. 
But  if  I  ever  have  the  misfortune  of  forfeiting 
Thy  holy  grace,  I  will  sue  again  for  mercy  in  the 
Sacrament  of  Penance.  Pray  for  me,  0  glorious 
Mother  of  God,  and  be  my  advocate  before  thy 
Son.  At  thy  suggestion  he  changed,  in  Cana  of 
Galilee,  water  into  wine;  beg  of  him  to  change 
my  heart  too,  to  purify  and  sanctify  it,  that  it 
may  be  worthy  of  him  forever. 

0  my  God,  when  Mary  pronounced  these  words: 
“  Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord,  be  it  done 
unto  me  according  to  thy  word/7  Thy  only  begot¬ 
ten  Son  became  incarnate  in  her  womb.  In  like 


460 


General  Prayers. 


manner  at  the  words  of  consecration,  which  are 
about  to  be  pronounced  by  Thy  minister,  the 
same  Jesus  Christ,  Thy  Son,  descends  on  our  al¬ 
tars,  and  miraculously  changes  the  substance  of 
bread  and  wine  into  his  body  and  blood,  soul  and 
divinity.  I  humbly  adore  Thee,  0  loving  Saviour, 
in  this  mystery  of  Thy  love.  Through  that 
divine  charity  which  moved  Thee  to  utter  those 
consoling  words  a  few  moments  before  the  insti¬ 
tution  of  this  sacrament:  “With  desire  I  have 

/ 

desired  to  eat  this  passover  with  you  before  I 
suffer/7  I  beg  of  Thee  to  have  mercy  on  me,  and 
to  forgive  me  my  sins.  Help  me  in  my  necessi¬ 
ties,  strengthen  me  against  the  enemies  of  my 
soul,  and  grant  me  the  grace  I  stand  in  need  of 
to  secure  my  eternal  salvation. 

I  pray  to  Thee  also,  0  Lord,  for  Thy  holy 
Church,  for  our  holy  Father  the  Pope,  for  our 
bishops,  and  all  pastors  of  souls;  for  my  parents, 
relations,  benefactors,  friends,  and  enemies. 
Grant  Thy  particular  blessings  to  the  pious 
clients  of  Thy  blessed  Mother.  Bless  the  poor, 
the  sick,  and  those  who  are  in  their  agony.  Have 
mercy  on  those  who  have  recommended  them¬ 
selves  to  my  prayer^,  who  pray  for  me,  and  finally 
on  all  those  for  whom  I  am  in  justice  or  charity 
bound  to  pray.  Grant  peace  and  concord  to  all 
Christian  princes  and  people.  Convert  poor  sin- 


Mass  in  Honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  461 


ners,  enlighten  infidels,  and  bring  back  heretics 
from  the  ways  of  error.  May  all  be  united  in  one 
fold,  under  one  shepherd,  Jesus  Christ,  the  true 
pastor  of  our  souls. 

Holy  Mary,  thy  divine  Son  now  comes  upon  the 
altar.  Present  to  him  my  lowly  adoration.  0 
my  Jesus,  come;  come,  my  Saviour.  Receive  the 
prayers  I  offer  Thee  through  the  hands  of  Thy 
blessed  Mother.  Come,  0  Lord  Jesus.  With  the 
angels,  who  are  prostrate  before  the  altar,  I  ex¬ 
claim:  Holy,  holy,  holy.  Hosanna  to  him  that 
cometh  from  the  highest  heavens — ever  blessed 
be  his  name! 

/ 

AT  THE  ELEVATION  OF  THE  HOST. 

0  Jesus  Christ,  Thou  art  the  true  Son  of  God. 
I  adore  Thee  in  this  holy  Sacrament.  Be  Thou 
propitious  to  me  and  forgive  me  my  sins. 

AT  THE  ELEVATION  OF  THE  CHALICE. 

0  adorable  blood,  which  Jesus  the  true  Son  of 
God  and  true  Son  of  Mary,  has  shed  for  me  on 
the  cross!  I  adore  Thee,  0  my  Redeemer,  and  1 
hide  myself  in  Thy  sacred  wounds,  from  which 
the  price  of  my  redemption  flowed.  0  Jesus, 
grant  that  I  may  live  for  Thee  and  die  for  Thee. 
Help,  0  Lord,  Thy  servants  whom  Thou  hast  re¬ 
deemed  with  Thy  precious  blood. 


462 


General  Prayers. 


AN  ACT  OF  THANKSGIVING. 

Accept,  0  most  merciful  God,  the  sacrifice  of 
Thy  Son  in  thanksgiving  for  all  the  benefits  Thou 
hast  granted  me.  Thou  hast  created  me  to  Thy 
own  image  and  likeness.  Thou  hast  redeemed 
me  with  Thy  Son’s  precious  blood;  Thou  hast 
called  me  to  the  true  faith,  and  preserved  me 
from  eternal  death,  which  I  so  often  deserved  for 
my  sins.  What  return  shall  I  make  Thee  for 
these  and  all  Thy  favors?  I  offer  Thee  Thv  only 
Son,  who,  before  he  instituted  this  most  holy 
Sacrament,  lifted  up  his  eyes,  and  gave  thanks  to 
Thee,  his  Father  Almighty.  I  offer  him  now 
immolated  on  this  altar;  and  thus  I  make  an  ade¬ 
quate  thanksgiving  for  all  the  blessings  Thou 
hast  bestowed  on  me  and  on  all  mankind. 

AN  ACT  OF  SUPPLICATION. 

0  my  God,  I  am  unworthy  to  appear  before 
Thee.  I  acknowledge  my  misery  and  poverty. 
Thou  art  the  fountain  of  all  grace,  and  the  source 
of  all  good.  Thy  beloved  Son  has  commanded 
me  to  pray  to  Thee,  and  to  call  Thee  by  the  con¬ 
soling  name  of  Father.  Therefore  I  prostrate 
myself  with  confidence  before  Thee,  and  present 
to  Thee  my  humble  supplication  through  the 
same  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  makes  intercession 


Mass  in  Honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  463 

for  me.  Grant  me  a  lively  faith,  a  firm  and  con¬ 
stant  hope,  and  an  ardent  charity  towards  Thee 
and  my  neighbor.  Save  my  soul.  Give  me 
strength  to  vanquish  my  spiritual  enemies.  Grant 
me  an  humble  resignation  to  Thy  holy  will  in 
the  adversities  of  this  life — and  above  all  the 
gifts  of  final  perseverance  in  Thy  love  and  ser¬ 
vice.  Through  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

Have  mercy  also,  0  Lord,  on  the  souls  of  the 
faithful  departed — on  those  of  my  parents,  bene¬ 
factors,  relations,  friends,  and  on  all  those  for 
whom  I  am  hound  to  pray.  Remember,  0  Lord, 
those  who  while  living  were  most  devoted  to  Thy 
blessed  Mother;  grant  them  all  rest  from  their 
torments,  and  bring  them  to  heaven.  I  apply  to 
the  souls  in  purgatory  the  holy  indulgences 
granted  to  the  faithful  who  assist  at  the  holy  sac¬ 
rifice  of  the  Mass,  and  I  intend  to  enter  into  the 
dispositions  necessary  to  gain  them,  through  Thy 
grace  and  mercy. 

Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  etc. 

0  my  Redeemer!  Thou  hast  commanded  me 
by  word  and  example  to  forgive  my  enemies.  I 
forgive  them  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  for 
the  love  of  Thee.  Grant  them,  0  Lord,  all  the 
graces  and  blessings  that  are  necessary  for  their 
spiritual  and  temporal  welfare. 

Thou  didst  not  forget  me,  0  sweet  Jesus,  even 


464 


General  Prayers. 


in  Thy  agony.  Before  expiring  on  the  cross  Thou 
didst  leave  me  Thy  sorrowful  and  afflicted  Mother 
to  be  my  Mother  also.  “  Behold  thy  Son — be¬ 
hold  thy  Mother/’  I  return  Thee  thanks,  0  my 
Saviour,  for  this  inestimable  favor.  And  thou, 
my  tender  Mother,  thou  hast  begotten  me  at  the 
foot  of  the  cross.  I  am  the  child  of  thy  sorrow. 
Take  me  under  thy  protection.  Conduct  me  to 
Jesus.  Teach  me  to  love  him.  0  Mother,  0 
tender  Mother!  how  happy  am  I  in  the  glorious 
privilege  of  being  thy  child.  0  Mary,  show  that 
thou  art  my  Mother. 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
world,  have  mercy  on  me.  (Three  times.) 

SPIRITUAL  COMMUNION-. 

0  Jesus!  Thou  hast  given  us  in  Thy  Holy 
Eucharist  Thy  body  and  blood  to  be  our  spiritual 
nourishment,  through  which  we  may  have  life 
everlasting.  Would  that  I  were  worthy  to  receive 
Thee  this  day  in  the  holy  Communion!  I  desire, 
with  all  my  heart,  to  receive  the  living  bread, 
which  came  down  from  heaven;  but  I  am  un¬ 
worthy — I  do  not  dare  approach  Thee. 

0  Lord,  I  am  not  worthy  that  Thou  shouldst 
enter  under  my  roof;  say  but  the  word  and  my 
soul  shall  be  saved.  (Three  times.) 

0  sweet  Mother,  obtain  for  me  the  grace  of 


Mass  in  Honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  465 


receiving  the  holy  Communion  with  worthy  dis¬ 
positions,  especially  in  my  last  sickness,  when  I 
shall  be  about  to  appear  before  the  tribunal  of 
God,  that,  through  the  merits  of  my  Saviour's 
death  and  Passion,  and  thy  intercession,  1  may 
have  life  everlasting.  Amen. 

AFTER  COMMUNION. 

My  loving  Saviour,  after  having  suffered  for 
three  hours  the  most  cruel  agony;  after  having 
accomplished  all  that  had  been  foretold  of  Thee, 
Thou  didst  expire  on  the  cross.  All  nature  trem¬ 
bled  at  Thy  death.  The  rocks  were  split  asunder 
— and  yet,  alas,  my  ungrateful  heart  is  insensible. 
I  have,  by  my  sins,  been  Thy  heartless  execu¬ 
tioner.  0  my  Redeemer,  how  can  1  dare  to  stand 
before  Thee?  But  Thou  didst  pardon  the  peni¬ 
tent  thief  ;  and  this  inspires  me  with  the  hope 
that  Thou  wilt  pardon  me  also,  and  admit  me, 
like  him,  to  the  enjoyment  of  Thy  happy  king¬ 
dom. 

0  Mary,  Queen  of  martyrs,  through  the  sorrow 
which  overwhelmed  thy  heart  at  the  foot  of  the 
cross,  while  thou  wert  witnessing  the  last  painful 
act  of  Our  Saviour’s  Passion — through  the  an¬ 
guish  thou  didst  feel  when  thou  didst  accompany 
his  sacred  body  to  the  tomb,  and  the  desolation 
thou  didst  experience  on  thy  return,  1  beseech 


466 


General  Prayers. 


thee  to  obtain  that  his  Passion  and  thy  sorrows 
may  be  ever  engraven  on  my  heart,  that  I  may 
never  cease  to  deplore  my  sins,  which  were  the 
cause  of  his  death  and  of  thv  anguish. 

AT  THE  POST  COMMUNION. 

Having  received,  0  Lord,  what  is  calculated  to 
advance  our  salvation,  grant  that  we  may  be  al¬ 
ways  protected  by  the  patronage  of  the  blessed 
Mary,  ever  virgin,  in  whose  honor  we  have  offered 
this  sacrifice  to  Thy  divine  Majesty. 

FOR  THE  CHURCH. 

We  beseech  Thee,  0  Lord,  not  to  leave  exposed 
to  the  perils  of  human  life  those  whom  Thou  hast 
permitted  to  partake  of  these  mysteries. 

FOR  THE  POPE. 

We  beseech  Thee,  0  Lord,  that  the  participa¬ 
tion- of  this  divine  Sacrament  may  protect  us  from 
all  dangers,  and  redound  to  the  safety  and  de¬ 
fence  of  Thy  servant  N.,  whom  Thou  hast  ap¬ 
pointed  pastor  over  Thy  Church,  together  with 
the  flock  committed  to  his  charge.  Through 
Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

AT  THE  BENEDICTION. 

Holy  and  adorable  Trinity,  Father,  Son,  and 
Holy  Ghost,  to  Thee  be  honor,  praise,  and  glory. 


Mass  in  Honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  467 


May  this  blessing,  which  I  humbly  receive  from 
the  hands  of  Thy  minister,  be  an  anticipation  of 
that  one  which  I  trust  Thou  wilt  give  me  after 
my  death,  and  on  the  day  of  judgment.  May  the 
blessing  of  God  the  Father,  of  God  the  Son,  and 
of  God  the  Holy  Ghost  come  upon  me  now  and 
forevermore.  Amen. 

AT  THE  LAST  GOSPEL. 

0  my  God,  I  believe  in  Thee,  I  hope  in  Thee, 
and  I  love  Thee  with  all  my  heart.  May  Thy 
holy  Gospel  be  propagated  throughout  the  world. 
Assist  the  ministers  whom  Thou  hast  appointed 
to  carry  the  light  of  faith  to  unbelievers,  or  to 
revive  it  among  lukewarm  Christians.  Grant  to 
all  the  clergy  that  spirit  of  zeal,  fortitude,  and 
knowledge  which  Thou  didst  impart  to  Thy  holy 
Apostles  on  the  day  of  Pentecost.  Thou  hast 
commanded  us,  0  Lord,  to  pray  to  the  Lord  of 
the  harvest,  that  he  may  send  laborers  to  work 
in  his  vineyard.  Wherefore  I  humbly  beseech 
Thee,  who  didst  open  the  prophets’  mouths,  and 
didst  call  the  Apostles  to  announce  Thy  word,  to 
send  us  worthy  pastors,  and  to  grant  that  they 
may  edify  the  flock,  destroy  errors  and  abuses, 
root  out  vice,  dispel  ignorance,  and  establish  Thy 
reign  in  the  souls  Thou  hast  redeemed  with  Thy 
blood.  0  Word  of  God  made  flesh,  grant  us  the 


468 


General  Prayers. 


grace  that  we  may  be  admitted  to  the  kingdom  of 
Thy  glory.  Amen. 

A  PRAYER  AFTER  MASS. 

I  give  Thee  thanks,  0  my  God,  for  having  per¬ 
mitted  me  to  assist  at  this  holy  sacrifice.  I 
humbly  ask  pardon  for  all  the  negligences  end 
distractions  I  may  have  given  way  to.  Eternal 
praise  be  given  to  Thy  holy  name,  for  all  the 
privileges  bestowed  on  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary, 
whom  Thou  didst  preserve  from  the  stain  of  orig¬ 
inal  sin,  and  didst  make  worthy  to  be  the  Mother 
of  Our  Redeemer.  Thou  didst  place  her  on  a 
throne  of  glory  to  be  Queen  of  heaven  and 
earth.  I  rejoice  at  her  glory,  because  she  is  the 
Mother  of  Jesus,  and  my  Mother  also.  0  loving 
Mother,  protect  thy  children,  and  conduct  them 
to  heaven.  0  holy  Mary,  succor  the  distressed; 
strengthen  the  weak;  comfort  the  afflicted;  pray 
for  the  people;  intercede  for  the  clergy;  make 
supplication  for  devout  women.  May  all  experi¬ 
ence  thy  assistance  who  celebrate  thy  holy  com¬ 
memoration. 

TT.  Pray  for  us,  0  holy  Mother  of  God. 

Pi.  That  we  may  be  made  worthy  of  the  prom¬ 
ises  of  Christ. 


Mass  in  Honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin .  469 


Let  us  Pray. 

Grant,  we  beseech  Thee,  0  Lord,  that  we  Thy 
servants  may  enjoy  perpetual  health  of  mind  and 
body;  and,  by  the  glorious  intercession  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  may  be  delivered  from 
present  sorrow  and  attain  to  eternal  joy.  Through 
Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 


PRAYERS  ORDERED  BY  POPE  LEO  XIII. 

To  be  said  kneeling  after  the  celebration  of  Low 
Mass. 

The  priest  with  the  people  recites  the  “  Hail 
Mary  ”  thrice ;  then  the 

SALVE  REGINA. 

Hail,  holy  Queen,  Mother  of  mercy,  our  life, 
our  sweetness,  and  our  hope.  To  thee  do  we  cry, 
poor  banished  children  of  Eve.  To  thee  do  we 
send  up  our  sighs,  mourning  and  weeping  in  this- 
valley  of  tears.  Turn,  then,  most  gracious  advo¬ 
cate,  thine  eyes  of  mercy  towards  us,  and  after 
this  our  exile  show  unto  us  the  blessed  fruit  of 
thy  womb,  Jesus.  0  clement,  0  loving,  0  sweet 
Virgin  Mary! 

V.  Pray  for  us,  0  holy  Mother  of  God. 

B.  That  we  may  be  made  worthy  of  the  prom¬ 
ises  of  Christ. 


470 


General  Prayers. 


Let  us  Pray. 

0  God,  our  refuge  and  our  strength,  look  down 
with  favor  upon  Thy  people  who  cry  to  Thee; 
and  through  the  intercession  of  the  glorious  and 
immaculate  Virgin  Mary,  Mother  of  God,  of  her 
spouse,  blessed  Joseph,  of  Thy  holy  apostles  Peter 
and  Paul,  and  all  the  saints,  mercifully  and  gra¬ 
ciously  hear  the  prayers  which  w^e  pour  forth  to 
Thee  for  the  conversion  of  sinners  and  the  lib¬ 
erty  and  exaltation  of  holy  mother  Church. 
Through  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

Add  the  invocation : 

St.  Michael  the  Archangel,  defend  us  in  battle, 
be  our  protection  against  the  malice  and  snares  of 
the  devil.  We  humbly  beseech  God  to  command 
him,  and  do  thou,  0  prince  of  the  heavenly  host, 
by  the  divine  power  thrust  into  hell  Satan  and 
the  other  evil  spirits  who  roam  through  the  world 
seeking  the  ruin  of  souls.  Amen. 


METHOD  OF  HEARING  MASS, 

By  St.  Leonard  of  Port  Maurice. 

We  owe  four  duties  to  God: 

1.  Praise  or  adoration. 

2.  Satisfaction  or  expiation. 

3.  Thanksgiving. 


Method  of  Hearing  Mass. 


471 


4.  Acknowledgment  of  our  dependence  on 
him,  as  the  Author  and  Principle  of  grace. 

1.  From  the  Beginning  of  the  Mass  to  the 

Gospel. 

Sink  into  the  abyss  of  your  nothingness  before 
the  infinite  Majesty  of  God,  reciting  the  Confiteor 
or  any  appropriate  prayer,  then  say: 

0  my  God,  I  adore  Thee,  and  acknowledge 
Thee  to  be  the  Lord  and  Master  of  my  soul!  1 
protest  that  all  I  am  and  have  are  Thy  gifts. 
And,  because  Thy  Majesty  merits  infinite  honor 
and  homage,  I,  who  am  a  poor  miserable  creature, 
utterly  incapable  of  paying  the  great  debt  which 
I  owe  to  Thee,  offer  to  Thee  the  humiliations 
and  homage  which  Jesus  Christ  offers  to  Thee  on 
the  altar.  What  Jesus  does,  I  intend  to  do  like¬ 
wise,  in  union  with  him.  I  humble  and  prostrate 
myself  before  Thy  majesty:  I  adore  Thee,  in 
union  with  the  humiliations  of  Jesus.  I  am  filled 
with  joy  and  delight  in  reflecting  that  Jesus  gives 
Thee,  for  me,  infinite  honor  and  homage. 

2.  From  the  Gospel  to  the  Elevation. 

Behold,  my  God,  the  traitor,  who  has  so  often  re¬ 
belled  against  Thee.  Ah!  with  a  sorrowful  heart, 
and  with  all  the  affections  of  my  soul,  I  abhor 
and  detest  my  most  grievous  sins,  and  I  offer  for 


472 


General  Prayers. 


them  the  same  satisfaction  which  Jesus  presents 
to  Thee  on  the  altar.  I  offer  to  Thee  all  the 
merits  of  Jesus,  the  blood  of  Jesus,  Jesus  en¬ 
tirely,  God  and  man,  who  is  here  immolated 
again  for  me.  And  since  my  Jesus  himself  is 
on  this  altar  my  Mediator  and  my  Advocate,  and 
since,  with  his  most  precious  blood,  he  implored 
pardon  for  me,  I  unite  with  the  cry  of  his  blood, 
and  supplicate  mercy  for  all  my  sins.  The  blood 
of  Jesus  cries  for  mercy,  and  my  sorrowful  heart 
also  implores  mercy.  Ah!  my  dear  God,  if  my 
tears  do  not  move  Thee,  let  at  least  the  groans 
of  my  Jesus  excite  Thy  pity.  Why  should  he 
not  obtain  for  me  that  mercy  which  he  obtained 
for  the  human  race  upon  the  cross?  Yes,  I  hope 
that  for  the  sake  of  that  most  precious  blood. 
Thou  wilt  pardon  all  my  most  grievous  sins, 
which  I  will  continue  to  bewail  till  my  last 
breath. 


3.  From  the  Elevatioh  to  the  Communion. 

Behold  me,  0  my  most  loving  God!  loaded  with 
the  general  and  particular  benefits  which  Thou 
hast  bestowed,  and  wilt  bestow  upon  me  in  time 
and  eternity.  I  know  that  Thv  mercies  to  me 
have  been,  and  are,  infinite.  But  I  am  ready  to 
pay  Thee  for  all,  even  to  the  last  farthing.  Be¬ 
hold  the  tribute  of  my  gratitude,  the  payment 


Method  of  Hearing  Mass. 


473 


which  I  offer  for  all  Thy  goodness,  is  this  divine 
blood,  this  most  precious  body,  this  innocent  Vic¬ 
tim,  which  I  present  to  Thee  by  the  hands  of  the 
priest.  I  am  certain  that  this  oblation  is  suffi¬ 
cient  to  pay  for  all  the  gifts  Thou  hast  conferred 
upon  me;  this  gift  of  infinite  value  is  an  equiva¬ 
lent  for  all  the  favors  I  have  ever  received,  or 
now  receive,  from  Thee.  Ah!  ye  holy  angels,  and 
all  ye  blessed  spirits,  help  me  to  thank  my  God; 
and  in  thanksgiving  for  his  great  benefits  offer 
to  him  not  only  the  Mass,  but  also  all  the  Masses 
that  are  now  celebrated  throughout  the  whole 
world,  that  his  loving  goodness  may  be  fully 
recompensed  for  all  the  graces  which  he  has  be¬ 
stowed,  and  is  to  bestow,  upon  me  now  and  for 
eternity.  Amen. 

4.  From  the  Communion-  to  the  End. 

Make  a  spiritual  communion  if  you  do  not  receive 
really. 

My  dear  God,  I  acknowledge  that  I  am  utterly 
unworthy  of  Thy  favor;  I  confess  my  infinite  un- 
worthiness,  and  that,  for  my  manifold  and  griev¬ 
ous  sins,  I  do  not  deserve  to  be  heard.  But  how 
canst  Thou  refuse  to  hear  Thy  divine  Son,  who, 
on  this  altar,  prays  for  me,  and  offers  for  me  his 
blood  and  his  life?  Ah!  my  most  loving  God, 
hear  the  prayers  of  this  my  great  Advocate,  and 


474 


General  Prayers. 


for  his  sake  grant  me  all  the  graces  which  Thou 
knowest  to  he  necessary  to  secure  the  great  affair 
of  my  eternal  salvation.  I  am  now  encouraged 
to  ask  of  Thee  a  general  pardon  of  all  my  sins  and 
the  gift  of  final  perseverance.  Trusting  in  the 
prayers  of  my  Jesus,  I  ask  of  Thee,  0  my  God! 
all  virtues  in  a  heroic  degree,  and  all  the  effica¬ 
cious  helps  necessary  to  make  me  truly  a  saint. 
I  ask  of  Thee  the  conversion  of  all  sinners,  and 
particularly  of  those  who  are  related  to  me,  either 
by  ties  of  kindred,  or  spiritually;  I  ask  of  Thee 
the  deliverance,  not  of  one  soul  only,  but  of  all 
the  souls  in  purgatory.  Deliver  them  all,  so  that 
by  the  efficacy  of  this  divine  sacrifice  that  prison 
of  purification  may  remain  empty.  Convert  all 
living  souls;  may  this  miserable  world  become  a 
paradise  of  delights  for  Thee,  in  which  having 
been  loved,  and  reverenced,  and  praised  by  all, 
may  we  come  at  length  to  praise  and  bless  Thee 
for  all  eternity.  Amen. 

Ask  here,  with  confidence,  for  the  fulness  of  all 
good,  for  yourself,  for  the  holy  Church,  for  your 
relatives,  and  for  the  relief  of  the  suffering  souls  in 
purgatory. 

The  above  prayers  may  be  repeated  over  and  over, 
or  similar  ones  used,  as  no  particular  w7ords  are 
n-eeessary. 

xVfter  Mass,  make  an  act  of  thanksgiving,  and 
leave  the  church  in  a  spirit  of  contrition,  as  if  you 
were  returning  from  Calvary, 


Mass  for  the  Dead. 


475 


MASS  FOE  THE  DEAD. 

AT  THE  BEGINNING  OF  MASS. 

Deliver  me,  0  Lord,  from  eternal  death  in  that 
tremendous  day  when  the  heavens  and  the  earth 
shall  be  shaken,  when  Thou  shalt  come  to  judge 
the  world  with  tire.  Seized  am  I  with  trembling, 
and  I  fear  for  that  approaching  trial  and  that 
wrath  to  come.  Oh,  that  day,  that  day  of  wrath, 
of  calamity,  and  misery;  that  great  and  bitter  day, 
indeed,  when  Thou  shalt  come  to  judge  the  world 
with  fire! 

Eternal  rest  give  them,  0  Lord,  and  let  per¬ 
petual  light  shine  on  them.  May  they  rest  in 
peace.  Amen. 


THE  CONFITEOR. 

I  confess  to  Almighty  God,  to  blessed  Mary, 
ever  Virgin,  to  blessed  Michael  the  Archangel,  to 
blessed  John  the  Baptist,  to  the  holy  apostles 
Peter  and  Paul,  to  all  the  saints,  and  to  you, 
father,  that  I  have  sinned  exceedingly  in  thought, 
word,  and  deed,  through  my  fault,  through  my 
fault,  through  my  most  grievous  fault.  There¬ 
fore  I  beseech  the  blessed  Mary,  ever  virgin,  the 
blessed  Michael  the  Archangel,  the  blessed  John 
the  Baptist,  the  holy  apostles  Peter  and  Paul,  and 


476 


General  Prayers. 


all  the  saints,  and  yon,  father,  to  pray  to  the  Lord 
our  God  for  me. 

Pray,  then,  for  pardon,  thus : 

May  God  have  mercy  on  me,  forgive  my  sins, 
and  lead  me  to  eternal  life!  May  the  almighty 
and  merciful  God  grant  me  the  pardon,  absolu¬ 
tion,  and  remission  of  all  my  sins! 

IHTROIT. 

When  the  priest  mounts  the  steps  of  the  altar, 
imagine  you  hear  the  souls  in  purgatory  repeating 
the  following  verses,  as  if  to  implore  your  prayers : 

Have  pity  on  me,  have  pity  on  me,  at  least  you, 
my  friends,  because  the  hand  of  the  Lord  hath 
touched  me.  My  flesh  is  consumed,  my  bone  hath 
cleaved  to  my  skin,  and  nothing  hut  lips  are  left 
about  my  teeth.  Have  pity  on  me,  have  pity  on 
me,  at  least  you,  my  friends.  (Job  xix.  20,  21.) 

Eternal  rest,  etc. 

IvYRIE  ELEISOY. 

Lord,  have  mercy  on  them! 

Christ,  have  mercy  on  them! 

Lord,  have  mercy  on  them! 

Repeat  each  three  times. 

THE  COLLECT. 

0  God,  the  Creator  and  Redeemer  of  all  the 
faithful,  give  to  the  souls  of  Thy  servants  de- 


Mass  for  the  Dead. 


477 


parted  the  remission  of  all  their  sins,  that  through 
the  help  of  pious  supplications  they  may  obtain 
the  pardon  which  they  have  always  desired.  Who 
livest  and  reignest  world  without  end.  Amen. 

THE  EPISTLE. 

In  those  days  the  most  valiant  Judas,  having 
made  a  gathering,  sent  twelve  thousand  drachms 
of  silver  to  Jerusalem  for  sacrifice  to  be  offered  - 
for  the  sins  of  the  dead,  thinking  well  and  reli¬ 
giously  concerning  the  resurrection.  (For  if  he 
had  not  hoped  that  they  that  were  slain  should 
rise  again  it  would  have  seemed  superfluous  and 
vain  to  pray  for  the  dead.)  And  because  he  con¬ 
sidered  that  they  who  had  fallen  asleep  with  god¬ 
liness  had  great  grace  laid  up  for  them.  It  is, 
therefore,  a  holy  and  wholesome  thought  to  pray 
for  the  dead,  that  they  may  he  loosed  from  sins. 
(II.  Mach,  xii.) 

GRADUAL. 

Grant  to  them  eternal  rest,  0  Lord,  and  may 
perpetual  light  shine  on  them.  The  just  shall  he 
in  everlasting  remembrance;  he  shall  not  fear  the 
evil  hearing.  (Ps.  cxi.) 

TRACT. 

Release,  0  Lord,  the  souls  of  all  the  faithful 
departed  from  the  bonds  of  their  sins;  and  by  the 


478 


General  Prayers. 


assistance  of  Thy  grace  may  they  escape  the  sen¬ 
tence  of  condemnation,  and  enjoy  the  bliss  of 
eternal  light. 

Here,  sometimes,  is  said  the  following  hymn. 
When  you  perceive  it  is  not  said  at  the  altar,  you 
may  pass  it  over  also,  and  go  on  to  the  Gospel. 

DIES 

Higher  still,  and  still  more  nigh. 

Draws  the  day  of  prophecy, 

Doom’d  to  melt  the  earth  and  sky. 

Oh,  what  trembling  there  shall  be 
When  the  world  its  Judge  shall  see, 
Coming  in  dread  majesty! 

Hark!  the  trumpet  thrilling  tone 
From  sepulchral  regions  lone 
Summons  all  before  the  throne. 

Time  and  death  it  doth  appall 
To  see  the  buried  ages  all 
Rise  to  answer  at  the  call. 

How  the  books  are  open  spread, 

How  the  writing  must  be  read 
Which  condemns  the  quick  and  dead. 


Mass  for  the  Dead. 


479 


Now  before  the  Judge  severe 
Hidden  things  must  all  appear; 
Naught  can  pass  unpunished  here. 

What  shall  guilty  I  then  plead? 

Who  for  me  will  intercede, 

Wheh  the  saints  shall  comfort  need? 

King  of  dreadful  majesty! 

Who  doth  freely  justify. 

Fount  of  pity,  save  Thou  me! 

Recollect,  0  Love  divine! 

‘Twas  for  this  lost  sheep  of  Thine 
Thou  Thy  glory  didst  resign. 

Satest  wearied  seeking  me, 

Sufferedst  upon  the  tree; 

Let  not  vain  Thy  labor  he. 

Judge  of  justice,  hear  my  prayer; 
Spare  me,  Lord,  in  mercy  spare, 

Ere  the  reckoning-day  appear. 

Lo,  Thy  gracious  faee  I  seek! 

Shame  and  grief  are  on  my  cheek; 
Sighs  and  tears  my  sorrows  speak. 


480 


General  Prayers. 


Thou  didst  Mary’s  guilt  forgive, 

Didst  the  dying  thief  receive, 

Hence  doth  hope  within  me  live. 

Worthless  are  my  prayers,  I  know. 

Yet,  oh,  cause  me  not  to  go 
Into  everlasting  woe. 

Severed  from  the  guilty  hand, 

Make  me  with  Thy  sheep  to  stand, 

Placing  me  on  Thy  right  hand. 

When  the  cursed  in  anguish  flee 
Into  flames  of  misery, 

With  the  blest  then  call  Thou  me. 

Suppliant  in  the  dust  I  lie! 

My  heart  a  cinder,  crushed  and  dry; 

Help  me,  Lord,  when  death  is  night 

Full  of  tears,  and  full  of  dread, 

Is  the  day  that  wakes  the  dead; 

Calling  all  with  solemn  blast, 

From  the  ashes  of  the  past. 

Lord  of  mercy,  Jesus  blest, 

Grant  the  faithful  light  and  rest.  Amen.. 


Mass  for  the  Dead. 


481 


THE  GOSPEL. 

At  that  time  Jesus  said  to  the  multitude  of  the 
Jews:  Amen,  amen,  I  say  unto  you  that  the  hour 
eometh,  and  now  is,  when  the  dead  shall  hear  the 
voice  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  they  that  hear  shall 
live.  For  as  the  Father  hath  life  in  himself,  so 
hath  he  given  to  the  Son  also  to  have  life  in 
himself;  and  he  hath  given  him  power  to  do 
judgment,  because  he  is  the  Son  of  man.  Won¬ 
der  not  at  this,  for  the  hour  eometh  wherein  all 
that  are  in  the  graves  shall  hear  the  voice  of  the 
Son  of  God;  and  they  that  have  done  good  shall 
come  forth  unto  the  resurrection  of  life;  but  they 
that  have  done  evil,  unto  the  resurrection  of 
judgment.  (J ohn  v.) 

THE  OFFERTORY. 

0  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  King  of  glory!  deliver  the 
souls  of  all  the  faithful  departed  from  the  flames 
of  hell  and  from  the  deep  pit.  Deliver  them  from 
the  lion’s  mouth,  lest  hell  swallow  them,  lest  they 
fall  into  darkness;  and  let  Thy- standard-bearer, 
St,  Michael,  bring  them  into  the  holy  light  which 
Thou  hast  promised  of  old  to  Abraham  and  his 
posterity.  We  offer  Thee,  0  Lord,  a  sacrifice  of 
praise  and  of  prayer:  accept  it  on  behalf  of  the 


482 


General  Prayers. 


souls  we  commemorate  this  day,  and  let  them 
pass  from  death  to  life. 

Here  make  an  offering  also  of  your  own  death  and 
suffering’s  in  union  with  the  holy  sacrifice,  thus : 

0  my  God,  I  offer  Thee  also  the  hour  of  my 
death  and  all  the  pains  I  am  destined  to  suffer 
from  this  moment  until  my  last  breath.  Give  me 
strength  to  bear  them  with  perfect  conformity 
to  Thy  will.  I  cheerfully  offer  Thee,  moreover, 
all  the  pains  which  Thou  shalt  prepare  for  me 
in  purgatory. 

It  is  just  that  the  fire  should  punish  in  me  all 
the  insults  I  have  offered  to  Thee.  0  holy  prison, 
when  shall  I  find  myself  shut  up  in  thee,  secure 
of  never  again  being  able  to  lose  my  God?  0 
holy  fire,  when  wilt  thou  purify  me  from  so  many 
stains  and  render  me  worthy  to  enter  the  land  of 
bliss?  I  offer  all  these  pains  to  Thy  glory,  unit¬ 
ing  them  with  the  bitter  pains  of  Jesus’  Passion. 
Eternal  Father!  I  sacrifice  to  Thee  my  life  and 
my  whole  being.  I  entreat  Thee  to  accept  this 
my  sacrifice  in  union  with  and  through  the  merits 
of  this  great  sacrifice  of  Jesus  Christ,  Thy  Son. 
Amen. 

Almighty  God,  who  art  the  guardian  of  souls, 
the  safeguard  of  salvation,  and  the  confidence  of 
all  believers,  look  mercifully  down  upon  us,  and 
through  the  merits  of  Thy  dear  Son,  whose  sacred 


Mass  for  the  Dead. 


483 


body  we  offer  in  this  sacrifice,  bless  the  graves  of 
our  departed  friends,  that  those  mortal  bodies 
which  there  repose,  after  the  course  of  this  life 
is  ended,  may  with  their  happy  souls  at  the  great 
judgment  day  be  found  worthy  to  participate  in 
the  rewards  of  eternal  life. 

Enter  not,  0  Lord,  into  judgment  with  these 
Thy  servants,  for  with  Thee  shall  no  man  be 
justified  except  through  Thee  the  remission  of  all 
his  sins  shall  be  accorded.  We  beseech  Thee, 
therefore,  let  not  the  sentence  of  Thy  justice  lie 
heavy  upon  those  whom  the  earnest  prayer  of 
Christian  faith  recommends  to  Thee;  but  rather, 
by  the  succor  of  Thy  grace,  may  they  be  found 
worthy  to  escape  the  avenging  judgment  who 
were  signed  with  the  seal  of  the  Holy  Trinity 
while  they  lived. 

Graciously  regard,  0  Lord,  these  gifts  which 
we  offer  Thee  for  the  souls  of  the  faithful  de¬ 
parted,  that,  by  celestial  remedies  made  pure, 
they  may  repose  in  Thy  compassionate  mercy. 
Through  Jesus  Christ,  Thy  Son,  Our  Lord. 
Amen. 

When  the  priest,  turning  towards  the  people,  says, 
“  Orate,  fratres  ”  (“Pray,  my  brethren”))  answer: 

May  the  Lord  receive  this  sacrifice  from  thy 
hands,  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  his  holy  name, 


484 


General  Prayers. 


for  the  salvation  of  our  souls,  and  for  the  repose 
of  the  faithful  departed. 

THE  SECRET. 

Look  favorably  down,  0  Lord,  we  beseech 
Thee,  upon  this  sacrifice  which  we  offer  for  the 
souls  of  Thy  departed  servants,  that,  as  Thou 
wast  pleased  to  bestow  on  them  the  merit  of 
Christian  faith,  Thou  mayest  also  grant  them  its 
reward.  Through  Jesus  Christ,  Thy  Son,  Our 
Lord.  Amen. 

THE  PREFACE. 

It  is  truly  meet  and  right,  just  and  salutary, 
that  we  should  always  and  everywhere  give  thanks 
to  Thee,  0  holy  Lord,  Almighty  Father,  everlast¬ 
ing  God,  through  Christ  our  Lord,  who  by  dying 
hath  destroyed  death  for  us,  and  rising  again  hath 
renewed  our  life,  and  who  hath  left  us  this  tre¬ 
mendous  sacrifice  as  a  propitation  for  our  sins 
and  for  the  sins  of  the  faithful  departed.  Merci¬ 
fully  grant,  therefore,  that  they  for  whom  it  is 
offered  this  day  may  speedily  be  released  from  all 
their  sufferings,  and  find  eternal  rest  and  per¬ 
petual  light  with  Thee  in  paradise;  that  there 
we,  with  them,  may  praise  and  celebrate  Thy 
majesty,  in  company  with  all  the  angels  and  arch¬ 
angels,  the  celestial  powers,  the  blessed  seraphs. 


Mass  for  the  Dead. 


485 


and  the  whole  host  of  heaven,  who  chant  Thy 
glory,  evermore  repeating:  Holy!  holy!  holy!  is 
the  Lord  God  of  armies!  the  heavens  and  the 
earth  are  full  of  Thy  glory!  Hosanna  in  the  high¬ 
est!  Blessed  is  he  who  eometh  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord!  Hosanna  in  the  highest! 

THE  CANON. 

We  therefore  suppliantly  beseech  Thee,  0 
Father  of  mercies,  through  Jesus  Christ,  Thy 
Son,  Our  Lord,  graciously  to  accept  and  bless 
this  holy  sacrifice  which  we  offer  Thee  for  the 
peace  and  prosperity  of  the  holy  Catholic  Church, 
for  Thy  servant,  our  father,  Pope  [N.],  for  our 
bishop  and  clergy,  and  for  all  Thy  faithful  Catho¬ 
lic  people,  for  the  living,  that  they  may  prepare 
for  death,  and  for  the  dead  that  they  may  obtain 
eternal  rest. 

MEMENTO  OF  THE  LIVING. 

Be  mindful,  0  Lord,  of  Thy  servants  N.N.  [ here 
pause  and  recommend  to  God  any  living  friend 
for  whom  you  feel  urged  to  pray  during  this  Mass], 
and  of  all  those  friends  who  are  very  near  and 
very  dear  to  me,  and  of  all  those  who  have  asked 
for  or  desire  my  prayers,  or  for  whom  I  ought 
especially  to  pray;  and  so  direct  and  strengthen 


486 


General  Prayers. 


them  by  Thy  holy  grace  during  life  that  at  the 
hour  of  their  death  the  enemy  may  not  prevail 
against  them.  Through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

0  almighty  and  merciful  God!  who  hast  be¬ 
stowed  on  the  human  race  both  the  means  of 
salvation  and  the  gift  of  eternal  life,  look  gra¬ 
ciously  upon  us.  Thy  servants,  and  cherish  these 
souls  which  Thou  hast  created,  that  in  the  hour 
of  our  departure,  being  free  from  the  stain  of  sin, 
we  may  merit  to  be  borne  upwards  by  the  hands 
of  the  holy  angels  to  Thee,  Our  Creator. 

Accept,  0  Lord,  we  beseech  Thee,  this  sacrifice 
which  we  offer  Thee  for  the  souls  of  the  faithful 
departed,  and  grant  to  us  also  who  still  remain 
the  grace  of  a  happy  death,  that  by  it,  being 
purged  of  all  our  faults,  we,  who  in  this  life  are 
afflicted  by  the  scourges  of  Thy  dispensation,  may 
receive  our  eternal  rest  in  the  life  to  come. 

When  the  first  sound  of  the  bell  announces  that 
the  priest  is  about  to  begin  the  Consecration,  say : 

0  God,  may  this  offering  be  blessed,  and  in 
every  way  acceptable  and  agreeable  to  Thee;. and 
for  our  salvation’s  sake,  and  for  the  comfort  of 
departed  souls,  be  changed  into  the  body  and 
blood  of  Thy  dear  Son,  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 


Mass  for  the  Dead. 


487 


THE  CONSECRATION. 

At  the  elevation  of  the  sacred  Host,  profoundly 
bowing,  say: 

Hail!  true  body  of  Jesus  Christ  my  Saviour! 
Oh,  bless  and  sanctify  my  soul! 

Then  add : 

Give  them  eternal  rest,  0  Lord. 

At  the  elevation  of  the  chalice  say: 

Hail!  true  blood  of  Jesus,  my  Redeemer!  Oh, 
wash  me  pure  from  all  my  sins! 

Then  add: 

Give  them  eternal  rest,  0  Lord.  May  they  rest 
in  peace. 


AFTER  THE  CONSECRATION. 

Commemorating,  therefore,  0  Lord,  the  blessed 
Passion  of  Jesus  Christ,  Thy  Son,  Our  Lord,  his 
resurrection  from  the  dead,  and  his  glorious 
ascension  into  heaven,  we  offer  before  the  throne 
of  Thy  most  excellent  majesty,  in  behalf  of  these 
departed  souls  whom  Thy  justice  still  detains  in 
the  pains  of  temporal  punishment,  this  most  holy, 
pure,  and  unspotted  victim,  the  holy  bread  of 
eternal  life  and  the  chalice  of  everlasting  sal¬ 
vation. 


488 


General  Prayers. 


A  SPECIAL  MEMENTO  OF  THE  DEAD. 

Be  mindful  especially,  0  Lord,  of  Thy  servants 
[N.2L],  who  are  gone  before  us  with  the  sign  of 
faith  and  rest  in  the  sleep  of  peace.  To  these 
and  to  all  who  sleep  in  Christ  grant,  we  beseech 
Thee,  a  place  of  refreshment,  light,  and  peace. 
Through  the  same  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

Grant,  0  Lord,  to  Thy  servants  departed  that 
they  may  not  receive  a  return  of  punishment  for 
their  deeds  who  in  desire  were  observers  of  Thy 
will;  and  that,  as  here  true  faith  has  joined  them 
to  the  company  of  Thy  faithful,  so  there  Thy 
mercy  ma}^  associate  them  to  the  choir  of  angels. 

0  God,  whose  attribute  it  is  always  to  show 
mercy  and  to  spare,  we  humbly  beseech  Thee  for 
the  souls  of  Thy  faithful  servants  whom  Thou 
hast  called  out  of  this  world  that  Thou  wouldst 
not  deliver  them  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy, 
nor  forget  them  until  the  end,  but  command  them 
to  be  received  by  the  holy  angels,  and  so  be  led 
to  paradise,  their  true  country;  that  as  they 
have  believed  and  hoped  in  Thee  they  may  not 
suffer  the  pains  of  hell,  but  possess  everlasting 
joys. 

0  God,  the  light  of  faithful  souls,  be  present 
to  our  supplications,  and  grant  to  all  Thy  servants 
and  handmaids  whose  bodies  rest  in  Christ  a  seat 


Mass  for  the  Dead.  489 

of  refreshment,  a  blissful  rest,  and  the  light  of 
glory. 

We  humbly  pour  out  our  prayers  to  Thee,  0 
Lord,  for  these  Thy  servants,  beseeching  Thee 
that  whatever  guilt  they  may  have  contracted 
through  human  frailty  Thou  wilt  mercifully  par¬ 
don,  and  place  them  in  the  seat  of  those  happy 
souls  whom  Thou  hast  redeemed.  Through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

To  us  also,  sinners  though  we  are,  yet  Thy  ser¬ 
vants,  and  trusting  in  the  multitude  of  Thy 
mercies,  deign  to  grant  some  part  and  fellowship 
with  all  Thy  saints.  Into  their  company  we  be¬ 
seech  Thee  graciously  to  admit  us,  not  weighing 
our  merits,  but  Thy  mercy.  Through  Christ  our 
Lord.  Amen. 


PATER  NOSTER. 

Repeat  with  the  priest:  “  Our  Lather,  who  art 
in  heaven,”  etc. ;  and  then  offer  the  following 
petition : 

Deliver,  0  Lord,  I  beseech  Thee,  the  souls  of 
Thy  servants  from  all  sorrow  and  suffering,  and 
bring  them  to  the  participation  of  Thy  heavenly 
joys;  and  through  the  intercession  of  the  blessed 
and  glorious  Mary,  ever  Virgin,  Mother  of  God, 
of  the  holy  apostles  Peter  and  Paul  and  Andrew, 
and  of  all  the  saints,  mercifully  grant  to  me  also 


490 


General  Prayers. 


the  pardon  of  my  sins,  grace  to  the  remnant  of 
my  days,  and  peace  in  the  honr  of  my  death,  that 
so,  through  the  help  of  Thy  mercy,  in  the  awful 
hour  of  judgment  I  may  stand  before  the  face  of 
my  accusing  enemy  without  alarm.  Through 
•Jesus  Christ,  Thy  Son,  Our  Lord.  Amen. 

AGNUS  DEI. 

At  the  Agnus  Dei  pray  thus : 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
world!  Grant  them  rest. 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
world!  Grant  them  rest. 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
world!  Grant  them  eternal  rest. 

0  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Son  of  the  living  God, 
who,  according  to  Thy  Father’s  will,  and  by  the 
cooperation  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  hast  given  life  to 
the  world  through  Thine  own  death,  deliver  me 
by  this  Thy  most  sacred  body  and  blood  from  all 
my  sins  and  from  every  evil;  make  me  cling  to 
Thy  commandments  always,  and  never  let  me  be 
separated  from  Thee. 

0  almighty  and  merciful  God!  I  beseech  Thee 
may  all  these  sacraments  in  which  it  is  our  privi¬ 
lege  to  participate  be  the  means  of  our  purifica¬ 
tion;  and  grant  that  this  Thy  sacrifice  may  not  be 
to  us  a  ground  of  accusation  for  our  punishment, 


Mass  for  the  Dead. 


491 


but  a  salutary  intercession  for  our  pardon;  may  it 
serve  for  the  washing  away  of  our  guilt,  for  the 
strengthening  of  our  frailty,  and  for  a  support 
against  all  the  dangers  of  the  world,  and  to  all 
Thy  faithful  people,  whether  living  or  dead,  for 
the  remission  of  all  their  sins.  Through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 


THE  COMMUNION. 

At  the  signal  given  by  the  little  bell,  when  the 
priest,  before  receiving  the  sacred  Host,  strikes  his 
breast  three  times,  do  the  same,  and  say  each  time : 

Lord!  I  am  not  worthy  that  Thou  shouldst 
enter  under  my  roof,  but  only  speak  the  word, 
and  my  soul  shall  be  healed. 

Here  you  may  make  a  spiritual  Communion,  unit¬ 
ing  yourself  in  desire  with  the  Communion  of  the 
priest.  After  which  recite  the  following  prayer: 

To  Almighty  God,  0  dear  departed  brethren, 
we  now  commend  you.  May  the  bright  company 
of  the  angels  come  to  seek  you;  may  the  senate  of 
the  Apostles  come  to  greet  you;  may  the  trium¬ 
phant  army  of  glorious  martyrs  come  to  meet 
you,  the  glittering  throng  of  confessors  encom¬ 
pass  you  with  their  lilies  in  their  hands,  tbe  choir 
of  virgins  receive  you  with  songs  of  joy,  and  a 
happy  rest  embrace  you  on  the  bosoms  of  the 
patriarchs. 


492 


General  Prayers. 


AT  THE  LAST  GOSPEL. 

I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth,  and  in  the 
last  day  I  shall  rise  out  of  the  earth:  and  I  shall 
he  clothed  again  with  my  skin,  and  in  my  flesh 
I  shall  see  my  God:  whom  I  myself  shall  see,  and 
my  eyes  shall  behold,  and  not  another.  This  my 
hope  is  laid  up  for  me  in  my  bosom.  (Job  xix. 
25.)  I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life;  he  that 
believeth  in  Me,  although  he  he  dead,  shall  live; 
and  every  one  that  liveth  and  believeth  in  Me, 
shall  not  die  forever.  (John  xi.  25.)  And  I 
heard  a  voice  saying  unto  me:  Write,  blessed  are 
the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord;  from  henceforth 
now,  saith  the  spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from 
their  labors:  for  their  works  follow  them.  (Apoc. 
xiv.  13.) 

Pi.  Thanks  he  to  God. 


PRAYERS  FOR  CONFESSION. 

Before  Confession. 

(St.  Alphonsus.) 

0  God  of  infinite  majesty,  behold  at  Thy  feet 
the  traitor  who  has  again  offended  Thee,  but  who 
now  in  all  humility  asks  Thy  pardon.  0  Lord, 
reject  me  not.  Thou  canst  not  despise  an  hum- 


Prayers  for  Confession. 


493 


bled  heart.  I  thank  Thee  for  having  waited  for 
me  up  to  the  present  moment,  and  for  not  having 
allowed  me  to  die  when  I  was  in  sin,  to  be  sent  to 
hell,  as  I  had  deserved.  The  patience  Thou  hast 
shown  towards  me,  0  my  God,  makes  me  hope 
that  through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ  Thou 
wilt  pardon  me  in  this  confession  all  my  offences 
against  Thee.  I  repent  of  them,  and  am  grieved 
because  I  have  deserved  hell,  and  have  lost 
heaven;  but  especially  I  am  sorry  for  them  from 
the  bottom  of  my  heart,  not  so  much  because  I 
have  deserved  hell,  but  because  I  have  displeased 
Thee,  who  art  infinite  goodness.  Yes,  I  love 
Thee,  0  sovereign  Good,  and  because  I  love  Thee 
I  repent  of  all  my  offences  against  Thee.  I  have 
turned  my  back  upon  Thee;  I  have  been  wanting 
in  respect  towards  Thee;  I  have  despised  Thy 
grace,  Thy  friendship — in  a  word,  0  Lord,  I  have 
wilfully  lost  Thee.  Ah!  for  the  love  of  Jesus 
Christ  forgive  me  all  mv  sins.  I  repent  of  them 
with  my  whole  heart;  I  hate,  I  detest  them;  I 
abhor  them  more  than  all  evils;  and  I  repent  not 
only  of  my  mortal,  but  also  of  my  venial  sins, 
which  likewise  displease  Thee.  I  purpose  for  the 
future,  with  the  help  of  Thy  grace,  never  more 
wilfully  to  offend  Thee.  Yes,  my  God,  I  will 
rather  die  than  sin  again. 


494 


General  Prayers. 


After  Confession. 

My  dear  Jesus,  how  much  do  I  not  owe  Thee! 
By  the  merits  of  Thy  blood  I  trust  that  I  have 
this  day  been  pardoned.  I  thank  Thee  exceed¬ 
ingly.  I  hope  to  praise  Thy  mercies  forever  in 
heaven.  My  God,  if  hitherto  I  have  so  often  lost 
Thee,  I  will  lose  Thee  no  more  for  the  time  to 
come:  I  am  resolved  really  to  change  my  life. 
Thou  deservest  all  my  love;  I  wish  to  love  Thee 
in  good  earnest.  My  will  is  never  again  to  he 
separated  from  Thee.  I  have  already  promised 
Thee,  and  I  promise  Thee  again  at  this  moment, 
to  consent  rather  to  die  than  to  offend  Thee 
again.  I  promise  to  fly  the  occasion  of  sin,  and 
to  use  this  means  .  .  .  (here  mention  it)  for  not 
falling  again. 

But  Thou,  my  Jesus,  knowest  my  weakness; 
give  me  the  grace  to  he  faithful  to  Thee  until 
death,  and  to  have  recourse  to  Thee  in  my  temp¬ 
tations. 

Most  holy  Virgin  Mary,  assist  me.  Thou  art 
the  Mother  of  perseverance;  all  my  hope  is  in 
thee. 


Acts  Before  and  After  Communion. 


495 


ACTS  BEFORE  AXD  AFTER 
COMMUXIOX. 

Acts  before  Communion. 

(St.  Alphonsus.) 

1.  An  Act  of  Faith. 

Behold^,  he  cometh  leaping  upon  the  mountains, 
slipping  over  the  hills.  Ah,  ray  most  amiable 
Saviour^  over  how  many,  what  rough  and  craggy 
mountains;  hast  Thou  had  to  pass  in  order  to 
come  and  unite  Thyself  to  me  by  means  of  this 
most  holy  Sacrament!  Thou,  from  being  God,, 
hadst  to  become  man;  from  being  immense,  to 
become  a  babe;  from  being  Lord,  to  become  a  ser¬ 
vant.  Thou  hadst  to  pass  from  the  bosom  of 
Thy  Eternal  Father  to  the  womb  of  a  Virgin;, 
from  heaven  into  a  stable;  from  a  throne  of  glory 
to  the  gibbet  of  a  criminal.  And  on  this  very 
morning  Thou  wilt  come  from  Thy  seat  in  heaven 
to  dwell  in  mv  bosom. 

%j 

Behold,  he  standeth  behind  our  wall,  looking' 
through  the  windows,  looking  through  the  lattices . 
Behold,  0  my  soul,  thy  loving  Jesus,  burning  with 
the  same  love  with  which  he  loved  thee  when 
dying  for  thee  on  the  cross,  is  now  concealed  in 
the  most  blessed  Sacrament  under  the  sacred 


496 


General  Prayers. 


species;  and  wliat  is  lie  doing?  Looking  through 
the  lattices.  As  an  ardent  lover  desirous  to  see 
you  correspond  to  his  love,  from  the  Host,  as 
from  within  closed  lattices,  whence  he  sees  with¬ 
out  being  seen,  he  is  looking  at  you  who  are  this 
morning  about  to  feed  upon  his  divine  flesh;  he 
observes  your  thoughts,  what  it  is  that  you  love, 
what  you  desire,  what  you  seek  for,  and  what 
offerings  you  are  about  to  make  him. 

Awake,  then,  my  soul,  and  prepare  to  receive 
thy  Jesus;  and,  in  the  first  place,  by  faith,  say  to 
him:  So,  then,  my  beloved  Redeemer,  in  a  few 
moments  Thou  art  coming  to  me?  0  hidden  God, 
unknown  to  the  greater  part  of  men,  I  believe,  I 
confess,  I  adore  Thee  in  the  most  holy  Sacrament 
as  nay  Lord  and  Saviour!  And  in  acknowledgment 
of  this  truth  I  would  willingly  lay  down  my  life. 
Tli on  comest  to  enrich  me  with  Thy  graces  and 
to  unite  Thyself  entirely  to  me;  how  great,  then, 
should  be  my  confidence  in  this  Thy  so  loving 
visit ! 

2.  An  Act  of  Love. 

Ah,  my  God,  my  God,  true  and  only  love  of 
my  soul,  and  what  more  couldst  Thou  have  done 
to  be  loved  by  me?  To  die  for  me  was  not 
enough  for  Thee,  my  Lord;  Thou  wast  pleased  to 
institute  this  great  Sacrament  in  order  to  give 


Acts  Before  and  After  Communion.  497 

Thyself  all  to  me,  and  thus  bind  and  unite  Thy¬ 
self  heart  to  heart  with  so  loathsome  and  un¬ 
grateful  a  creature  as  I  am.  And  what  is  more, 
Thou  Thyself  invitest  me  to  receive  Thee,  and  de- 
sirest  so  much  that  I  should  do  so!  0  boundless 
love!  incomprehensible  love!  infinite  love!  a  God 
would  give  himself  all  to  me! — my  soul,  believest 
thou  this?  And  what  doest  thou?  what  sayest 
thou?  Oh,  could  I  but  cause  Thee  to  be  loved 
by  all  hearts  as  much  as  Thou  deservest!  I  love 
Thee,  0  most  amiable  God,  and  I  unite  my  mis¬ 
erable  heart  in  loving  Thee  to  the  hearts  of  the 
seraphim,  to  the  heart  of  the  most  blessed  Vir¬ 
gin  Mary,  to  the  Heart  of  Jesus,  Thy  most  loving 
and  beloved  Son.  So  that,  0  infinite  Good,  I 
love  Thee  with  the  love  with  which  the  saints, 
with  which  Mary,  with  which  Jesus  love  Thee. 
And  1  love  Thee  only  because  Thou  art  worthy 
of  it,  and  to  give  Thee  pleasure.  Depart,  all 
earthly  affections,  that  are  not  for  God,  depart 
from  my  heart.  Mother  of  fair  love,  most  holy 
Virgin  Mary,  help  me  to  love  that  God  whom 
thou  dost  so  ardently  desire  to  see  loved! 

3.  Ax  Act  of  Humility. 

Then,  my  soul,  thou  art  even  now  about  to 
feed  on  the  most  sacred  flesh  of  Jesus!  And  art 
thou  worthy?  Mv  God,  and  who  am  I,  and  who 


498 


General  Prayers. 


art  Thou?  I  indeed  know  and  confess  who 
Thou  art  that  givest  Thyself  to  me;  hut  dost 
Thou  know  what  I  am  who  am  about  to  receive 
Thee?  And  is  it  possible,  0  my  Jesus,  that  Thou 
who  art  infinite  purity  desirest  to  come  and  re¬ 
side  in  this  soul  of  mine,  which  has  been  so  many 
times  the  dwelling  of  Thy  enemy,  and  soiled  with 
so  many  sins?  I  know,  0  my  Lord,  Thy  great 
majesty  and  my  misery;  I  am  ashamed  to  appear 
before  Thee.  Reverence  would  induce  me  to 
keep  at  a  distance  from  Thee;  but  if  I  depart 
from  Thee,  0  my  life,  whither  shall  I  go?  to 
whom  shall  I  have  recourse?  and  what  will  be¬ 
come  of  me?  No,  never  will  I  depart  from  Thee; 
nay,  even  I  will  ever  draw  nearer  and  nearer  to 
Thee. 

Thou  art  satisfied  that  I  should  receive  Thee 
as  food,  Thou  even  invitest  me  to  this.  I  come, 
then,  0  my  amiable  Saviour;  I  come  to  receive 
Thee  this  morning,  all  humbled  and  confused 
at  the  sight  of  my  defects;  but  full  of  confidence 
in  Thy  tender  mercy,  and  in  the  love  which  Thou 
bearest  me. 

4.  An  Act  of  Contrition. 

I  am  indeed  grieved,  0  God  of  my  soul,  for  not 
having  loved  Thee  during  the  time  past;  what  is 
still  worse,  so  far  from  loving  Thee,  and  to  gratify 


Acts  Before  and  After  Communion.  499 

my  own  inclinations,  I  have  greatly  offended  and 
outraged  Thy  infinite  goodness:  I  have  turned 
my  hack  upon  Thee,  I  have  despised  Thy  grace 
and  friendship.  Lord,  I  am  sorry,  and  grieve  for 
it  with  my  whole  heart.  I  detest  the  sins  which 
I  have  committed,  he  they  great  or  small,  as  the 
greatest  of  all  my  misfortunes,  because  I  have 
thereby  offended  Thee,  0  infinite  Goodness.  I 
trust  that  Thou  hast  already  forgiven  me;  but  if 
Thou  hast  not  yet  pardoned  me,  oh,  do  so  before 
I  receive  Thee:  wash  with  Thy  blood  this  soul  of 
mine,  in  which  Thou  art  so  soon  about  to  dwelL 

5.  Ax  Act  of  Desire. 

And  now,  my  soul,  the  blessed  hour  has  arrived 
in  which  Jesus  will  come  and  take  us  his  dwell¬ 
ing  in  thy  poor  heart.  Behold  the  King  of 
heaven,  behold  thy  Redeemer  and  God,  who  is 
even  now  coming;  prepare  thyself  to  receive  him 
with  love,  invite  him  with  the  ardor  of  thy 
desire. 

Most  holy  Virgin  and  my  Mother  Mary,  behold 
I  already  approach  to  receive  thy  Son.  Would 
that  I  had  the  heart  and  love  with  which  thou 
didst  communicate!  Give  me  this  morning  thy 
Jesus,  as  thou  didst  give  him  to  the  shepherds 
and  to  the  kings.  I  intend  to  receive  him  from 
thy  most  pure  hands.  Tell  him  that  I  am  thy 


500 


General  Prayers. 


servant  and  thy  client;  for  he  will  thus  look  upon 
me  with  a  more  loving  eye,  and  now  that  he  is 
coming,  will  press  me  more  closely  to  himself. 

After  Communion. 

(St.  Alphonsus.) 

0  my  Jesus,  now  that  Thou,  who  art  the  true 
Life,  art  come  to  me,  make  me  die  to  the  world, 
and  to  live  only  for  Thee,  my  Redeemer;  by  the 
flames  of  Thy  love  destroy  in  me  all  that  is  dis¬ 
pleasing  to  Thee,  and  give  me  a  true  desire  to 
gratify  and  please  Thee  in  all  things. 

Give  me  that  true  humility  which  shall  make 
me  love  contempt  and  self -abjection,  and  take 
from  me  all  ambition  of  putting  myself  forward. 
Give  me  the  spirit  of  mortification,  that  I  may 
deny  myself  all  those  things  that  do  not  tend  to 
Thy  love,  and  may  lovingly  embrace  that  which 
is  displeasing  to  the  senses  and  to  self-love. 

Give  me  a  perfect  resignation  to  Thy  will,  that 
I  may  accept  in  peace  pains,  infirmities,  loss  of 
friends  or  property,  desolations,  persecutions,  and 
all  that  comes  to  me  from  Thy  hand.  I  offer 
Thee  my  whole  being,  that  Thou  mayest.  dispose 
of  me  according  to  Thy  pleasure.  And  give  me 
grace  always  to  repeat  this  entire  offering  of  my¬ 
self,  especially  at  the  time  of  my  death.  May  I 
then  offer  the  sacrifice  of  my  life  to  Thee,  in 


Acts  Before  and  After  Communion. 


501 


■union  with  the  sacrifice  that  Thou  didst  make  of 
Thy  life  for  me  to  the  Eternal  Father.  My 
Jesus,  enlighten  me,  and  make  me  to  know  Thy 
goodness,  and  the  obligation  I  am  under  to  love 
Thee  above  all  for  the  love  Thou  hast  borne  me 
in  dying  for  me,  and  in  giving  Thyself  to  me  in 
the  most  holy  Sacrament. 

I  pray  Thee  to  give  Thy  light  to  all  infidels 
who  know  Thee  not,  to  all  heretics  who  are  out 
of  the  Church,  and  to  all  sinners  who  live  de¬ 
prived  of  Thy  grace.  My  Jesus,  make  Thyself 
known,  make  Thyself  loved.  I  recommend  to 
Thee  all  the  souls  in  purgatory,  and  especially 
N.jSL;  alleviate  the  pains  they  suffer,  and  shorten 
the  time  of  their  banishment  from  Thy  sight. 
Do  this  through  Thy  merits,  and  those  of  Thy 
most  holy  Mother  and  of  all  Thy  saints. 

My  God,  enkindle  the  flame  of  Thy  love  within 
me,  so  that  I  may  seek  nothing  but  Thy  good 
pleasure;  that  nothing  may  please  me  but  pleas¬ 
ing  Thee.  I  drive  from  my  heart  everything 
which  is  not  agreeable  to  Thee.  May  I  always  be 
able  to  say  with  real  affection:  0  God,  my  God,  I 
wish  for  Thee  alone  and  nothing  more.  My 
Jesus,  give  me  a  great  love  for  Thy  most  sacred 
Passion,  that  Thy  sufferings  and  death  may  be 
ever  before  my  eyes  to  excite  me  to  love  Thee 
always,  and  to  make  me  desire  to  give  Thee  some 


502 


General  Prayers. 


grateful  compensation  for  Thy  so  great  love. 
Give  me  also  a  great  love  for  the  most  holy  Sac¬ 
rament  of  the  altar,  in  which  Thou  hast  made 
known  the  exceeding  tenderness  Thou  hast  for 
us.  I  also  beg  of  Thee  to  give  me  a  tender  devo¬ 
tion  to  Thy  most  holy  Mother;  give  me  grace 
always  to  love  and  serve  her,  always  to  have  re¬ 
course  to  her  intercession,  and  to  induce  others 
to  honor  her  and  confide  in  her  patronage;  and 
grant  to  me  and  to  all  men  ever  to  have  a  great 
confidence,  first  in  the  merits  of  Thy  Passion, 
and  then  in  the  intercession  of  Mary. 

I  pray  Thee  to  grant  me  a  happy  death.  Grant 
that  I  may  then  receive  Thee  with  great  love  in 
the  most  holy  Viaticum,  that  in  Thy  embrace, 
burning  with  a  holy  fire,  and  a  great  desire  of 
seeing  Thee,  I  may  quit  this  life  to  cast  myself 
at  Thy  feet  as  soon  as  it  shall  be  my  lot  to  behold 
Thee.' 

Above  all,  I  pray  Thee,  0  my  Jesus,  to  give  me 
the  grace  of  prayer,  that  I  may  recommend  my¬ 
self  always  to  Thee  and  Thy  most  holy  Mother, 
especially  in  times  of  temptation;  and  I  pray 
Thee,  by  Thy  merits,  to  grant  me  holy  perse¬ 
verance  and  Thy  holy  love. 

Bless  me,  my  Jesus,  and  bless  me  entirely — my 
soul,  my  body,  my  senses,  and  my  faculties. 
Bless  especially  my  tongue,  that  it  may  only  speak 


Acts  Before  and  After  Communion.  503 

for  Thy  glory.  Bless  my  eyes,  that  they  may 
not  look  at  anything  that  might  tempt  me  to  dis¬ 
please  Thee.  Bless  my  taste,  that  it  may  not 
offend  Thee  by  intemperance;  and  bless  all  the 
members  of  my  body,  that  they  may  all  serve 
Thee  and  not  offend  Thee.  Bless  my  memory, 
that  it  may  always  remember  Thy  love  and  the 
favors  Thou  hast  accorded  me.  Bless  my  under¬ 
standing,  that  it  may  know  Thy  goodness,  and 
the  obligation  I  have  of  loving  Thee;  and  that  it 
may  see  all  that  1  must  avoid,  and  all  that  I  must 
do  to  conform  myself  to  Thy  holy  will.  Above 
all,  bless  my  will,  that  it  may  love  no  other  but 
Thee,  the  infinite  Good;  that  it  may  seek  for 

nothing  but  to  please  Thee;  and  may  take  delight 

•  _  * 

in  nothing  but  what  conduces  to  Thy  glory. 

0  my  King,  come  Thou  and  reign  alone  in  my 
soul;  take  entire  possession  of  it,  that  it  may 
neither  serve  nor  obey  anything  but  Thy  love. 

0  my  Jesus,  that  I  might  spend  myself  all  for 
Thee,  who  hast  spent  all  Thy  life  for  me! 

0  Lamb  of  God,  sacrificed  on  the  cross,  remem¬ 
ber  that  I  am  one  of  those  souls  which  Thou  hast 
redeemed  with  so  much  labor  and  sorrow.  Never 
let  me  lose  Thee  again.  Thou  hast  given  Thyself 
all  to  me;  make  me  to  be  all  Thine,  and  let  my 
only  wish  be  to  please  Thee.  I  love  Thee,  0 
immense  Good,  in  order  to  give  Thee  pleasure. 


504 


General  Prayers. 


I  love  Thee,  because  Thou  art  worthy  of  my  love. 
I  have  no  greater  grief  than  that  of  thinking 
that  I  have  been  so  long  in  the  world  without 
loving  Thee. 

My  beloved  Redeemer,  give  me  a  portion  of  that 
grief  which  Thou  didst  feel  for  my  sins  in  the 
garden  of  Gethsemane.  0  my  Jesus,  would  that 
I  had  died  and  never  offended  Thee!  0  love  of 
my  Jesus,  Thou  art  my  love  and  my  hope!  I  will 
rather  lose  my  life,  and  a  thousand,  than  lose 
Thy  grace. 

My  God,  if  I  were  to  die  in  sin,  I  could  no  more 
love  Thee.  1  thank  Thee  that  Thou  givest  me 
time,  and  dost  call  me  to  love  Thee.  Now,  then, 
that  I  can  love  Thee,  I  will  love  Thee  with  all 
my  soul.  Thou  hast  borne  with  me  so  long  tha^ 
I  might  love  Thee.  Yes,  and  I  will  love  Thee. 
Ah,  by  the  blood  that  Thou  hast  shed  for  me, 
suffer  me  not  to  betray  Thee  again.  “  In  Thee, 
0  Lord,  have  I  hoped;  let  me  not  be  confounded 
forever.”  What  is  the  world?  what  are  riches? 
what  are  pleasures?  what  are  honors?  0  my  God, 
1  wish  for  Thee  alone.  Mv  God,  Thou  art  suffi- 
cient  for  me;  Thou  art  an  infinite  Good. 

0  my  Jesus,  bind  me  wholly  to  Thy  love,  and 
draw  all  my  affections  to  Thyself,  so  that  I  may 
love  none  other  but  Thee.  Make  me  all  Thine 
before  I  die. 


Acts  Before  and  After  Communion.  505 

Ah,  my  God,  as  long  as  I  live  I  stand  in  danger 
of  losing  Thee.  When  shall  the  day  come  that 
I  can  say:  My  Jesus,  I  can  no  longer  lose  Thee? 

0  Eternal  Father,  for  the  love  of  Jesus  Christ, 
despise  me  not;  suffer  me  to  love  Thee,  and  give 
me  Thy  holy  love.  I  wish  to  love  Thee  greatly 
in  this  life,  that  I  may  love  Thee  greatly  in  the 
next. 

0  infinite  Good,  I  love  Thee;  but  do  Thou  make 
me  know  the  great  good  that  I  love,  and  give  me 
the  love  which  Thou  dost  desire  to  see  in  me. 
Enable  me  to  overcome  all  things  to  please  Thee. 

ANIMA  CHRISTI. 

Soul  of  Jesus,  sanctify  me. 

Body  of  Jesus,  save  me. 

Blood  of  Jesus,  wash  me. 

Water  out  of  the  side  of  Jesus,  purify  me. 

Passion  of  Jesus,  comfort  me. 

0  good  Jesus,  hear  me. 

Hide  me  within  Thy  sacred  wounds. 

0  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus,  receive  me. 

0  immaculate  heart  of  Mary,  plead  for  me,  and 
love  me. 


506 


General  Prayers. 


VESPERS  OF  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN 

MARY. 

“  Our  Father”  and  “Hail  Mary”  being  said  in 
silence,  the  priest  intones : 

0  God,  incline  nnto  my  aid. 

R.  0  Lord,  make  haste  to  help  me. 

Glory  he  to  the  Father,  etc. 

Ant.  Whilst  the  king  was  on  his  couch,  my 

spikenard  yielded  a  sweet  odor. 


psalm  cix. 

The  Lord  said  to  my  lord:  Sit  Thou  at  my 
right  hand: 

Until  I  make  Thine  enemies  Thy  footstool. 

The  Lord  shall  send  forth  the  rod  of  Thy  power 
from  out  of  Sion:  rule  Thou  in  the  midst  of 
Thine  enemies. 

Thine  shall  be  the  dominion  in  the  day  of  Thy 
power,  amid  the  brightness  of  the  saints:  from 
the  womb  before  the  day-star  have  I  begotten 
Thee. 

The  Lord  hath  sworn,  and  will  not  repent: 
Thou  art  a  priest  forever  according  to  the  order 
of  Melchisedech. 

The  Lord  upon  Thy  right  hand  hath  over¬ 
thrown  kings  in  the  day  of  his  wrath. 


Vespers  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 


507 


He  shall  judge  among  the  nations,  he  shall 
fulfil  destructions:  he  shall  smite  in  sunder  the 
heads  in  the  land  of  many. 

He  shall  drink  of  the  brook  in  the  way:  there¬ 
fore  shall  he  lift  up  his  head. 

Glory  he  to  the  Father,  etc. 

Ant.  Whilst  the  king,  etc. 

Ant.  His  left  hand  is  under  my  head:  and  his 
right  hand  embraces  me. 

PSALM  CXII. 

Praise  the  Lord,  ye  children:  praise  ye  the 
name  of  the  Lord. 

Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord,  from  this 
time  forth  forevermore. 

From  the  rising  up  of  the  sun  unto  the  going 
down  of  the  same:  the  name  of  the  Lord  is 
worthy  to  be  praised. 

The  Lord  is  high  above  all  nations:  and  his 
glory  above  the  heavens. 

Who  is  like  unto  the  Lord  our  God,  who  dwell- 
eth  on  high:  and  regardeth  the  things  that  are 
lowly  in  heaven  and  on  earth? 

Who  raiseth  up  the  needy  from  the  earth:  and 
lifteth  the  poor  from  off  the  dunghill: 

That  he  may  set  him  with  the  princes:  even 
with  the  princes  of  his  people. 


508 


General  Prayers. 


Who  maketh  the  barren  woman  to  dwell  in  her 
house:  the  joyful  mother  of  children. 

Glory  he  to  the  Father,  etc. 

Ant.  His  left  hand. 

Ant.  I  am  black,  but  beautiful,  0  daughters 
of  Jerusalem:  therefore  the  king  loved  me  and 
brought  me  into  his  chamber. 

PSALM  cxxi. 

I  was  glad  at  the  things  that  were  said  unto 
me:  We  will  go  into  the  house  of  the  Lord. 

Our  feet  were  wont  to  stand:  in  thy  courts,  0 
J  erusalem. 

Jerusalem,  which  is  built  as  a  city:  that  is  at 
unity  with  itself. 

For  thither  did  the  tribes  go  up,  the  tribes  of 
the  Lord:  the  testimony  of  Israel,  to  praise  the 
name  of  the  Lord. 

For  there  are  set  the  seats  of  judgment:  the 
seats  over  the  house  of  David. 

Pray  ye  for  the  things  that  are  fof  the  peace 
of  Jerusalem:  and  plenteousness  be  to  them  that 
love  thee. 

Let  peace  be  in  thy  strength:  and  plenteous¬ 
ness  in  thy  towers. 

For  my  brethren  and  companions’  sake:  I  spoke 
peace  concerning  thee. 


Vespers  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  509 

Because  of  tlie  house  of  the  Lord  our  God:  I 
have  sought  good  things  for  thee. 

Glory,  etc. 

Ant.  I  am  black. 

Ant.  Now  the  winter  is  past,  the  rain  over  and 
gone;  arise  my  love  and  come. 

PSALM  CXXVI. 

Unless  the  Lord  build  the  house:  they  Ihbor 
in  vain  that  build  it. 

Unless  the  Lord  keep  the  city:  he  watcheth  in 
vain  that  keepeth  it. 

In  vain  ye  rise  before  the  light:  rise  not  till  ye 
have  rested,  0  ye  that  eat  the  bread  of  sorrow. 

When  he  hath  given  sleep  to  his  beloved:  lo,. 
children  are  an  heritage  from  the  Lord,  and  the 
fruit  of  the  womb  a  reward. 

Like  as  arrows  in  the  hand  of  the  mighty  one: 
so  are  the  children  of  those  who  have  been  cast 
out. 

Blessed  is  the  man  whose  desire  is  satisfied 
with  them:  he  shall  not  be  confounded,  when  he 
speaketh  with  his  enemies  in  the  gate. 

Glory,  etc. 

Ant.  Now  the  winter. 

Ant.  Thou  art  beautiful  and  sweet  in  thy  per¬ 
fumes,  0  sacred  Mother  of  God. 


510 


General  Prayers. 


PSALM  CXLVIL 

Praise  the  Lord,  0  Jerusalem:  praise  thy  God, 
O  Sion. 

For  he  hath  strengthened  the  bars  of  thy  gates: 
he  hath  blessed  thy  children  within  thee. 

He  hath  made  peace  within  thy  borders:  and 
hlleth  thee  with  the  fatness  of  corn. 

He  sendeth  forth  his  commandment  on  the 
earth:  his  word  runneth  very  swiftly. 

He  giveth  snow  like  wool:  he  scattereth  the 
hoar-frost  like  ashes. 

He  sendeth  his  ice  like  morsels:  who  is  able  to 
-abide  his  frost? 

He  shall  send  forth  his  word,  and  melt  them: 
he  shall  blow  with  his  wind,  and  the  waters  shall 
How. 

He  make tli  known  his  word  unto  Jacob:  his 
justices  and  judgments  unto  Israel. 

He  hath  not  dealt  so  with  any  nation:  neither 
hath  he  showed  them  his  judgments. 

Glory,  etc. 

Ant.  Thou  art  beautiful  and  sweet  in  thy  per¬ 
fumes,  0  sacred  Mother  of  God. 

THE  LITTLE  CHAPTER. 

(Ecclus.  xxiv.) 

From  the  beginning,  and  before  ages,  I  was 
created,  and  shall  not  cease  in  the  world  to  come: 


Vespers  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  511 

and  I  have  ministered  before  him  in  the  holy 
habitation. 

Thanks  be  to  God. 

HYMN". 

Bright  Mother  of  our  Maker,  hail! 

Thou  Virgin  ever  blessed; 

The  ocean’s  Star  by  which  we  sail, 

And  gain  the  port  of  rest! 

Whilst  we  this  Ave  thus  to  thee 
From  Gabriel’s  mouth  rehearse, 

Prevail  that  peace  our  lot  may  be, 

And  Eva’s  name  reverse. 

Eelease  our  long  entangled  mind 
From  all  the  snares  of  ill; 

With  heav’nly  light  instruct  the  blinds 
And  all  our  vows  fulfil. 

Exert  for  us  a  Mother’s  care, 

And  us,  thy  children,  own; 

Prevail  with  him  to  hear  our  prayer, 

Who  chose  to  be  thy  Son. 

0  spotless  maid!  whose  virtues  shine 
With  brightest  purity; 

Each  action  of  our  life  refine, 

And  make  us  pure  like  thee. 


512 


General  Prayers. 


Preserve  our  lives  unstained  from  ill, 

And  guard  us  in  our  way; 

That  Christ,  one  day,  our  souls  may  fill 
With  joys  that  ne’er  decay. 

To  God  the  Father,  endless  praise; 

To  God  the  Son,  the  same. 

And  Holy  Ghost,  whose  equal  rays, 

One  equal  glory  claim.  Amen. 

V.  Vouchsafe,  0  sacred  Virgin,  to  accept  my 
praises. 

R.  Give  me  strength  against  thy  enemies. 

Ant.  0  holy  Mary,  succor  the  miserable,  help 
the  faint-hearted,  pray  for  the  people,  intercede 
for  the  clergy,  make  intercession  for  the  devout 
female  sex:  let  all  be  sensible  of  thy  help  who 
celebrate  thy  holy  festivity. 

F.  Grace  is  spread  upon  thy  lips. 

R.  Therefore  hath  God  blessed  thee  forever. 

Ant.  All  generations  shall  call  me  blessed, 
because  the  Lord  hath  looked  on  his  lowly  hand¬ 
maid. 

THE  MAGNIFICAT,  OR  CANTICLE  OF  THE  BLESSED 

VIRGIN. 

My  soul  doth  magnify  the  Lord. 

And  my  spirit  hath  rejoiced:  in  God  my 
Saviour. 


Vespers  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  513 

For  he  hath  regarded  the  humility  of  his  hand¬ 
maid:  for  behold  from  henceforth  all  generations 
shall  call  me  blessed. 

For  he  that  is  mighty  hath  done  great  things 
unto  me:  and  holy  is  his  name. 

And  his  mercy  is  from  generation  to  genera¬ 
tion:  unto  them  that  fear  him. 

He  hath  showed  strength  with  his  arm:  he 
hath  scattered  the  proud  in  the  imagination  of 
their  heart. 

He  hath  put  down  the  mighty  from  their  seat: 
and  hath  exalted  the  humble. 

He  hath  filled  the  hungry  with  good  things: 
and  the  rich  he  hath  sent  empty  away. 

He  hath  upholden  his  servant  Israel:  being 
mindful  of  his  mercy. 

As  he  spake  unto  our  fathers:  to  Abraham  and 
.his  seed  forever. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  etc. 

Glory,  etc. 

V.  The  Lord  be  with  you. 

R.  And  with  thy  spirit. 

V.  Let  us  bless  the  Lord. 

R.  Thanks  be  to  God. 

V.  May  the  souls  of  the  faithful  departed, 
through  the  mercy  of  God,  rest  in  peace. 

R.  Amen. 


514 


General  Prayers. 


THE  STATIONS  OK  WAY  OF  THE 

CROSS. 

In  order  to  gain  the  many  indulgences  granted 
to  this  devotion  (which  are  applicable  to  the  souls 
in  purgatory),  the  following  conditions  must  be 
complied  with:  (1)  We  must,  as  we  go  along,  medi¬ 
tate  on  the  Passion  of  Our  Lord,  as  far  as  our 
capacity  will  allow;  and  (2)  we  must  move  from  one 
Station  to  the  other,  unless  the  crowded  state  of  the 
church  renders  this  impossible.  We  should  then  at 
least  turn  towards  each  successive  Station  as  the 
procession  moves  along. 

Manner  oe  Practising  the  Exercise  of  the 
Way  of  the  Cross. 

Let  each  one,  kneeling  before  the  high  altar,  make 
an  act  of  contrition,  and  form  the  intention  of  gain¬ 
ing  the  indulgences,  whether  for  himself  or  for  the* 
souls  in  purgatory.  Then  say: 

Mj  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Thou  hast  made  this 
journey  to  die  for  me  with  love  unutterable,  and 
I  have  so  many  times  unworthily  abandoned 
Thee;  but  now  I  love  Thee  with  my  whole  heart, 
and  because  I  love  Thee  I  repent  sincerely  for 
having  ever  offended  Thee.  Pardon  me,  my  God, 
and  permit  me  to  accompany  Thee  on  this  jour¬ 
ney.  Thou  goest  to  die  for  love  of  me;  I  wish 
also,  my  beloved  Redeemer,  to  die  for  love  of 


The  Stations  or  Way  of  the  Cross. 


515 


Thee.  My  Jesus,  I  will  live  and  die  always 
united  to  Thee. 

FIRST  STATION. 

JESUS  IS  CONDEMNED  TO  DEATH. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  0  Christ,  and  praise  Thee. 

B.  Because  by  Thy  holy  cross  Thou  hast  re¬ 
deemed  the  world. 

Consider  that  Jesus,  after  having  been 
scourged  and  crowned  with  thorns,  was  unjustly 
condemned  by  Pilate  to  die  on  the  cross. 

My  adorable  Jesus,  it  was  not  Pilate,  no,  it  was 
my  sins,  that  condemned  Thee  to  die.  I  beseech 
Thee,  by  the  merits  of  this  sorrowful  journey,  to 
assist  my  soul  in  its  journey  towards  eternity.  I 
love  Thee,  Jesus,  my  love,  I  love  Thee  more  than 
myself  ;  I  repent  with  my  whole  heart  of  having 
offended  Thee.  Never  permit  me  to  separate 
myself  from  Thee  again.  Grant  that  I  may  love 
Thee  always,  and  then  do  with  me  what  Thou 
wilt. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be,  etc. 

SECOND  STATION. 

JESUS  IS  MADE  TO  BEAR  HIS  CROSS. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  etc. 

B.  Because,  etc. 

Consider  that  Jesus,  in  making  this  journey 


J 


516 


General  Prayers. 


with  the  cross  on  his  shoulders,  thought  of  us, 
and  offered  for  us  to  his  Father  the  death  that 
he  was  about  to  undergo. 

My  most  beloved  Jesus,  I  embrace  all  the 
tribulations  that  Thou  hast  destined  for  me  until 
death.  I  beseech  Thee,  by  the  merits  of  the 
pain  Thou  didst  suffer  in  carrying  Thy  cross,  to 
give  me  the  necessary  help  to  carry  mine  with 
perfect  patience  and  resignation.  I  love  Thee, 
Jesus,  my  love;  I  repent  of  having  offended  Thee. 
Never  permit  me  to  separate  myself  from  Thee 
again.  Grant  that  I  may  love  Thee  always,  and 
then  do  with  me  what  Thou  wilt. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be,  etc. 

THIRD  STATION. 

JESUS  FALLS  THE  FIRST  TIME  UNDER  HIS  CROSS. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  etc. 

R.  Because,  etc. 

Consider  this  first  fall  of  Jesus  under  his  cross. 
His  flesh  was  torn  by  the  scourges,  his  head 
crowned  with  thorns,  and  he  had  lost  a  great 
quantity  of  blood.  He  was  so  weakened  that  he 
could  scarcely  walk,  and  yet  he  had  to  carry  this 
great  load  upon  his  shoulders.  The  soldiers 
struck  him  rudely,  and  thus  he  fell  several  times 
on  his  journey. 


1 

The  Stations  or  Way  of  the  Cross.  517 

My  beloved  Jesus,  it  is  not  the  weight  of  the 
cross,  but  of  my  sins,  which  has  made  Thee  suffer 
so  much  pain.  Ah,  by  the  merits  of  this  first 
fall,  deliver  me  from  the  misfortune  of  falling 
into  mortal  sin.  I  love  Thee,  0  my  Jesus,  with 
my  whole  heart;  I  repent  of  having  offended 
Thee.  Never  permit  me  to  offend  Thee  again. 

Grant  that  I  may  love  Thee  always,  and  then  do 
with  me  what  Thou  wilt. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be,  etc. 

FOURTH  STATION.  j 

JESUS  MEETS  HIS  AFFLICTED  MOTHER. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  etc. 

R.  Because,  etc. 

Consider  the  meeting  of  the  Son  and  the 
Mother,  which  took  place  on  this  journey.  Jesus 
and  Mary  looked  at  each  other,  and  their  looks 
became  as  so  many  arrows  to  wound  those  hearts 
which  loved  each  other  so  tenderly. 

My  most  loving  Jesus,  by  the  sorrow  Thou 
didst  experience  in  this  meeting,  grant  me  the 
grace  of  a  truly  devoted  love  for  Thy  most  holy 
Mother.  And  thou,  my  Queen,  who  wast  over¬ 
whelmed  with  sorrow,  obtain  for  me  by  thy  inter¬ 
cession  a  continual  and  tender  remembrance  of 
the  Passion  of  thy  Son.  I  love  Thee,  Jesus,  my 
love;  I  repent  of  ever  having  offended  Thee. 


A 


518 


General  Prayers. 


Never  permit  me  to  offend  Thee  again.  Grant 
that  I  may  love  Thee  always,  and  then  do  with 
me  what  Thou  wilt. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be,  etc. 

FIFTH  STATION. 

THE  CYRENIAN  HELPS  JESUS  TO  CARRY  HIS  CROSS. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  etc. 

R.  Because,  etc. 

Consider  that  the  Jews,  seeing  that  at  each 
step  Jesus,  from  weakness,  was  on  the  point  of 
expiring,  and  fearing  that  he  would  die  on  the 
way,  when  they  wished  him  to  die  the  ignomini¬ 
ous  death  of  the  cross,  constrained  Simon  the 
Cyrenian  to  carry  the  cross  behind  Our  Lord. 

My  most  sweet  Jesus,  I  will  not  refuse  the 
cross  as  the  Cyrenian  did;  I  accept  it,  I  embrace 
it.  I  accept  in  particular  the  death  that  Thou 
hast  destined  for  me,  with  all  the  pains  which 
may  accompany  it;  I  unite  it  to  Thy  death;  I  offer 
it  to  Thee.  Thou  hast  died  for  love  of  me;  I 
will  die  for  love  of  Thee,  and  to  please  Thee. 
Help  me  by  Thy  grace.  I  love  Thee,  Jesus,  my 
love;  I  repent  of  having  offended  Thee.  Never 
permit  me  to  offend  Thee  again.  Grant  that  I 
may  love  Thee  always,  and  then  do  with  me  what 
Thou  wilt. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  he,  etc. 


The  Stations  or  Way  of  the  Cross. 


519 


SIXTH  STATION. 

VERONICA  WIPES  THE  FACE  OF  JESUS. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  etc. 

B.  Because,  etc. 

Consider  that  the  holy  woman  named  Veronica, 
seeing  Jesus  so  afflicted,  and  his  face  bathed  in 
sweat  and  blocd,  presented  him  with  a  towel, 
with  which  he  wiped  his  adorable  face,  leaving 
on  it  the  impression  of  his  holy  countenance. 

My  most  beloved  Jesus,  Thy  face  was  beautiful 
before,  but  in  this  journey  it  has  lost  all  its 
beauty,  and  wounds  and  blood  have  disfigured  it. 
Alas!  my  soul  also  was  once  beautiful,  when  it 
received  Thy  grace  in  baptism;  but  I  have  disfig¬ 
ured  it  since  by  my  sins;  Thou  alone,  my  Re¬ 
deemer,  canst  restore  it  to  its  former  beauty.  Do 
this  by  Thy  Passion,  and  then  do  with  me  what 
Thou  wilt. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be,  etc. 

SEVENTH  STATION. 

JESUS  FALLS  THE  SECOND  TIME. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  etc. 

B.  Because,  etc. 

Consider  the  second  fall  of  Jesus  under  the 
cross — a  fall  which  renews  the  pain  of  all  the 


520  General  Prayers. 

wounds  of  the  head  and  members  of  our  afflicted 
Lord. 

My  most  gentle  Jesus,  how  many  times  hast 
Thou  pardoned  me,  and  how  many  times  have  I 
fallen  again,  and  begun  again  to  offend  Thee? 
Oh,  by  the  merits  of  this  new  fall,  give  me  the 
necessary  helps  to  persevere  in  Thy  grace  until 
death.  Grant  that  in  all  temptations  which  assail 
me  I  may  always  commend  myself  to  Thee.  I 
love  Thee,  Jesus,  my  love,  with  my  whole  heart; 
I  repent  of  having  offended  Thee.  Never  permit 
me  to  offend  Thee  again.  Grant  that  I  may  love 
Thee  always,  and  then  do  with  me  what  Thou 
wilt. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be,  etc. 
EIGHTH  STATION. 

JESUS  SPEAKS  TO  THE  DAUGHTERS  OF  JERUSALEM. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  etc. 

R.  Because,  etc. 

Consider  that  those  women  wept  with  compas¬ 
sion  at  seeing  Jesus  in  so  pitiable  a  state,  stream¬ 
ing  with  blood,  as  he  walked  along.  But  Jesus 
said  to  them,  “  Weep  not  for  me,  but  for  your 
children.” 

My  Jesus,  laden  with  sorrows,  I  weep  for  the 
offences  that  I  have  committed  against  Thee,  be¬ 
cause  of  the  pains  which  they  have  deserved,  and 


The  Stations  or  Way  of  the  Cross.  521 

still  more  because  of  the  displeasure  which  they 
have  caused  Thee,  who  hast  loved  me  so  much. 
It  is  Thy  love,  more  than  the  fear  of  hell,  which 
causes  me  to  weep  for  my  sins.  My  Jesus,  I  love 
Thee  more  than  myself;  I  repent  of  having 
offended  Thee.  Never  permit  me  to  offend  Thee 
again.  Grant  that  I  may  love  Thee  always,  and 
then  do  with  me  what  Thou  wilt. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be,  etc. 


NINTH  STATION. 

JESUS  FALLS  THE  THIRD  TIME. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  etc. 

E.  Because,  etc. 

Consider  the  third  fall  of  Jesus  Christ.  His 
weakness  was  extreme,  and  the  cruelty  of  his 
executioners  was  excessive,  in  trying  to  hasten 
his  steps  when  he  had  scarcely  strength  to 
move. 

Ah,  my  outraged  Jesus,  by  the  merits  of  the 
weakness  that  Thou  didst  suffer  in  going  to  Cal¬ 
vary,  give  me  strength  sufficient  to  conquer  all 
human  respect  and  all  my  wicked  passions,  which 
have  led  me  to  despise  Thy  friendship.  I  love 
Thee,  Jesus,  my  love,  with  my  whole  heart;  I 
repent  of  having  offended  Thee.  Never  permit 
me  to  offend  Thee  again.  Grant  that  I  may  love 


5 22  General  Prayers. 

Thee  always;  and  then  do  with  me  what  Thou 
wilt. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be,  etc. 

TENTH  STATION. 

JESUS  IS  STRIPPED  OF  HIS  GARMENTS. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  etc. 

R.  Because,  etc. 

Consider  the  violence  with  which  the  execu¬ 
tioners  stripped  Jesus.  His  inner  garments 
adhered  to  his  torn  flesh,  and  they  dragged  them 
off  so  roughly  that  the  skin  came  with  them. 
Compassionate  your  Saviour  thus  cruelly  treated, 
and  sav  to  him: 

My  innocent  Jesus,  by  the  merits  of  the  tor¬ 
ment  that  Thou  hast  felt,  help  me  to  strip  myself 
of  all  affection  to  things  of  earth,  in  order  that  I 
may  place  all  my  love  in  Thee,  who  art  so  worthy 
of  my  love.  I  love  Thee,  0  Jesus,  with  my  whole 
heart;  I  repent  of  having  offended  Thee.  Never 
permit  me  to  offend  Thee  again.  Grant  that  I 
may  love  Thee  always,  and  then  do  with  me  what 
Thou  wilt. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be,  etc. 


The  Stations  or  Way  of  the  Cross. 


523 


ELEVENTH  STATION. 

JESUS  IS  NAILED  TO  THE  CROSS. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  etc. 

B.  Because,  etc. 

Consider  that  Jesus,  after  being  thrown  on  the 
cross,  extended  his  hands,  and  offered  to  his 
Eternal  Father  the  sacrifice  of  his  life  for  our 
salvation.  These  barbarians  fastened  him  with 
nails;  and  then,  raising  the  cross,  left  him  to  die 
with  anguish  on  this  infamous  gibbet. 

My  Jesus,  loaded  with  contempt,  nail  my  heart 
to  Thy  feet,  that  it  may  ever  remain  there  to 
love  Thee,  and  never  quit  Thee  again.  I  love 
Thee  more  than  myself;  I  repent  of  having 
offended  Thee.  Never  permit  me  to  offend  Thee 
again.  Grant  that  I  may  love  Thee  always;  and 
then  do  with  me  what  Thou  wilt. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be,  etc. 


TWELFTH  STATION. 

JESUS  DIES  ON  THE  CROSS. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  etc. 

B.  Because,  etc. 

Consider  that  thy  Jesus,  after  three  hours’ 
agony  on  the  cross,  consumed  at  length  with 


524 


General  Prayers. 


anguish,  abandons  himself  to  the  weight  of  his 
body,  bows  his  head,  and  dies. 

0  my  dying  Jesus,  I  kiss  devoutly,  the  cross  on 
which  Thou  didst  die  for  love  of  me.  I  have 
merited  by  my  sins  to  die  a  miserable  death;  but 
Thy  death  is  my  hope.  Ah,  by  the  merits  of  Thy 
death,  give  me  grace  to  die,  embracing  Thy  feet 
and  burning  with  love  to  Thee.  I  commit  my 
soul  into  Thy  hands.  I  love  Thee  with  my  whole 
heart;  I  repent  of  ever  having  offended  Thee. 
Permit  not  that  I  ever  offend  Thee  again.  Grant 
that  I  may  love  Thee  always,  and  then  do  with 
me  what  Thou  wilt. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be,  etc. 

THIRTEENTH  STATION. 

JESUS  IS  TAKEN  DOWN  FROM  THE  CROSS. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  etc. 

P.  Because,  etc. 

Consider  that  Our  Lord  having  expired,  two  of 
his  disciples,  Joseph  and  Nicodemus,  took  him 
down  from  the  cross  and  placed  him  in  the  arms 
of  his  afflicted  Mother,  who  received  him  with 
unutterable  tenderness,  and  pressed  him  to  her 
bosom. 

0  Mother  of  sorrow,  for  the  love  of  this  Son, 
accept  me  for  thy  servant,  and  pray  to  him  for 


The  Statio?is  or  Way  of  the  Cross.  525 

me.  And  Thou,  my  Redeemer,  since  Thou  hast 
died  for  me,  permit  me  to  love  Thee;  for  I  wish 
hut  Thee,  and  nothing  more.  I  love  Thee,  my 
Jesus,  and  I  repent  of  ever  having  offended  Thee. 
Never  permit  me  to  offend  Thee  again.  Grant 
that  I  may  love  Thee  always,  and  then  do  with 
me  what  Thou  wilt. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be,  etc. 


FOURTEENTH  STATION. 

JESUS  IS  PLACED  IN'  THE  SEPULCHRE. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  etc. 

B.  Because,  etc. 

Consider  that  the  disciples  carried  the  body 
of  Jesus  to  bury  it,  accompanied  by  his  holy 
Mother,  who  arranged  it  in  the  sepulchre  with 
her  own  hands.  They  then  closed  the  tomb  and 
all  withdrew. 

Ah,  my  buried  Jesus,  I  kiss  the  stone  that  en¬ 
closes  Thee.  But  Thou  didst  rise  again  the  third 
day.  I  beseech  Thee,  by  Thy  resurrection,  make 
me  rise  glorious  with  Thee  at  the  last  day,  to  be 
always  united  with  Thee  in  heaven,  to  praise 
Thee,  and  love  Thee  forever.  I  love  Thee,  and 
I  repent  of  ever  having  offended  Thee.  Permit 
not  that  I  ever  offend  Thee  again.  Grant  that  I 


526 


General  Prayers . 


may  love  Thee  always,  and  then  do  with  me  what 
Thou  wilt. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be,  etc. 

After  this,  return  to  the  high  altar,  and  say,  “  Our 
Father,”  “  Hail  Mary,”  and  “  Glory  be,”  etc.,  five 
times,  in  honor  of  the  Passion  of  Jesus  Christ,  to 
gain  the  other  indulgences  granted  to  those  who  re¬ 
cite  them.  At  the  end,  the  “  Our  Father,”  the  “  Hail 
Mary,”  and  the  “Glory  be  to  the  Father”  may  be 
said  for  the  intention  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff. 


PRINTED  BY  BENZIGER  BROTHERS,  NEW  YORK. 


Standard  Catholic  Books 

PUBLISHED  BY 

BENZIGER  BROTHERS, 

CINCINNATI:  NEW  YORK:  CHICAGO: 

343  MAIN  ST.  36  &  38  BARCLAY  ST.  211-213  MADISON  ST. 


DOCTRINE,  INSTRUCTION,  DEVOTION. 


Abandonment;  or,  Absolute  Surrender  of  Self  to  Divine  Provi¬ 


dence.  Rev.  J.  P.  Caussade,  S.J.  net,  o  40 

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SoDALISTS'’  VaDE  MeCUM.  0  50 

Songs  and  Sonnets.  Maurice  Francis  Egan.  i  oo 

Souvenir  of  the  Novitiate.  Rev.  Edward  I.  Taylor,  net,  o  60 

St.  Anthony.  Rev.  Dr.  Jos.  Keller.  o  75 

St.  Joseph,  Our  Advocate.  Father  Huguet.  o  90 

Stations  of  the  Cross.  Illustrated.  o  50 

Stories  for  First  Communicants.  Rev.  J.  A.  Keller,  D.D.  o  50 

Striving  after  Perfection.  Rev.  Joseph  Bayma,  S.J.  net,  1  00 

Sure  Way  to  a  Happy  Marriage.  Rev.  Edward  I.  Taylor. 
Paper,  0.25;  25  copies,  3  75 

Cloth,  0.40;  25  copies,  6  00 

Thought  from  Benedictine  Saints.  net,  o  35 

Thought  from  St.  Alphonsus.  net,  o  35 

Thought  from  St.  Francis  of  Assisi  and  His  Saints,  net,  0  35 

Thought  from  St.  Ignatius.  ,  net,  0  35 

Thoughts  from  St.  Teresa.  net,  0  35 

Thought  from  St.  Vincent  de  Paul.  net,  o  35 

Th6ugiits  and  Counsels  for  the  Consideration  of  Catholic  Young 
Men.  Rev.  P.  A.  Doss,  S.  J.  net,  1  25 

True  Politeness.  Abbe  Francis  Demore.  net,  o  60 

True  Spouse  of  Jesus  Christ.  St.  Alphonsus  de  Liguori. 
2  vols.,  Centenary  Edition,  net,  2  50 

The  same  in  1  volume,  net,  1  00 

Two  Spiritual  Retreats  for  Sisters.  Rev.  E.  Zollner. 

net,  1  00 

Veneration  of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  Her  Feasts,  Prayers,  Re¬ 
ligious  Orders,  and  Sodalities.  Rev.  B.  Rohner,  O.S.B.  1  25 

8 


Victories  of  the  Martyrs;  or,  The  Lives  of  the  Most  Celebrated 
Martyrs  of  the  Church.  Vol.  IX.  Alphonsus  de  Liguori. 

net,  i  25 

Visits  to  Jesus  in  the  Tabernacle.  Hours  and  Half-Hours  of 
Adoration  before  the  Blessed  Sacrament.  With  a  Novena 
to  the  Holy  Ghost  and  Devotions  for  Mass,  Holy  Com¬ 
munion,  etc.  Rev.  F.  X.  Lasance.  Cloth,  1  25 

Visits  to  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament  and  to  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary.  St.  Alphonsus  de  Liguori.  o  50 

Vocation  s  Explained:  Matrimony,  Virginity,  The  Religious 
State,  and  the  Priesthood.  By  a  Vincentian  Father.  o  10 
100  copies,  6  00 

Way  of  Interior  Peace.  Rev.  Father  De  Lehen,  S.J.  net,  1  25 

Way  of  Salvation  and  Perfection.  Meditations,  Pious  Reflec¬ 
tions,  Spiritual  Treatises.  St.  Alphonsus  de  Liguori.  net,  1  25 


Way  of  the  Cross.  Paper,  0.05;  100  copies,  2  50 

Words  of  Wisdom.  A  Concordance  to  the  Sapiential  Books. 
Edited  by  Rev.  John  J.  Bell.  net,  1  25 

Year  of  the  Sacred  Heart.  A  Thought  for  Every  Day  of  the 
Year.  Anna  T.  Sadlier.  0  50 

Young  Girls'  Book  of  Piety,  at  School  and  at  Home.  A 
Prayer-book  for  Girls  in  Convent  Schools  and  Academies. 
Golden  Sands.  1  00 

JUVENILES. 

Adventures  of  a  Casket.  o  45 

Adventures  of  a  French  Captain.  o  45 

An  Adventure  with  the  Apaches.  Gabriel  Ferry.  0  40 

Anthony.  A  Tale  of  the  Time  of  Charles  II.  of  England,  o  45 

Armorer  of  Solingen.  William  Herchenbach.  0  40 

Bertha;  or,  Consequences  of  a  Fault.  0  45 

Better  Part.  o  45 

Bistouri.  A.  Melandri.  0  40 

Black  Lady,  and  Robin  Red  Breast.  Canon  Schmid.  o  25 

Blanche  de  Marsillyl  o  45 

Blissylvania  Post-Office.  Marion  Ames  Taggart.  0  40 

Boys  in  the  Block.  Maurice  F.  Egan.  o  25 

Bric-a-Brac  Dealer.  o  45 

Buzzer’s  Christmas.  Mary  T.  Waggaman.  o  25 

By  Branscome  River.  Marion  Ames  Taggart.  o  40 

Cake  and  the  Easter  Eggs.  Canon  Schmid.  o  25 

Canary  Bird.  Canon  Schmid.  o  40 

Captain  Rougemont.  0  45 

Cassilda;  or,  The  Moorish  Princess.  o  45 

Cave  by  the  Beech  Fork,  The.  Rev.  IT.  S.  Spalding,  S.J. 
Cloth,  o  85 

College  Boy,  A.  Anthony  Yorke.  Cloth,  o  85 

Conversations  on  Home  Education.  o  45 


9 


Dimpling’s  Success.  Clara  Mulholland.  o  40 

Episodes  of  the  Paris  Commune.  An  Account  of  the  Religious 
Persecution.  0  45 

Every-Day  Girl,  An.  Mary  C.  Crowley.  0  40 

Eat al  Diamonds.  E.  C.  Donnelly.  o  25 

Finn,  Rev.  F.  J.,  S.J. : 

His  First  and  Last  Appearance.  Illustrated.  1  00 

The  Best  Foot  Forward.  o  85 

That  Football  Game.  o  85 

Ethelred  Preston.  o  85 

Claude  Lightfoot.  o  85 

Harry  Dee.  o  85 

Tom  Playfair.  o  85 

Percy  Wynn.  o  85 

Mostly  Boys.  0  85 

Fisherman’s  Daughter.  o  45 

Five  O'Ciock  Stories;  or,  The  Old  Tales  Told  Again.  0  75 

Flower  of  the  Flock,  The,  and  the  Badgers  of  Belmont. 

Maurice  F.  Egan.  o  85 

Fred's  Little  Daughter.  Sara  Trainer  Smith.  o  40 

Gertrude’s  Experience.  o  45, 

Godfrey  the  Hermit.  Canon  Schmid.  o  25, 

Great-Grandmother’s  Secret.  o  45 

Heir  of  Dreams,  An.  Sallie  Margaret  O’Malley.  o  40 

Her  Father’s  Right  Hand.  o  45 

Hop  Blossoms.  Canon  Schmid.  o  25 

Hostage  of  War,  A.  Mary  G.  Bonesteel.  o  40 

How  They  Worked  Their  Way.  Maurice  F.  Egan.  0  75 

Inundation,  The.  Canon  Schmid.  o  40 

Jack  FIildreth  on  the  Nile.  Marion  Ames  Taggart.  Cloth, 

o  85 

Jack  O’Lantern.  Mary  T.  Waggaman.  o  40 

Klondike  Picnic.  Eleanor  C.  Donnelly.  o  85 

Lamp  of  the  Sanctuary.  Cardinal  Wiseman.  o  25 

Legends  of  the  Holy  Child  Jesus  from  Many  Lands.  A. 

Fowler  Lutz.  o  75 

Little  Missy.  Mary  T.  Waggaman.  o  40 

Loyal  Blue  and  Royal  Scarlet.  Marion  A.  Taggart.  o  85 

Madcap  Set  at  St.  Anne’s.  Marion  J.  Brunowe.  o  40 

Marcelle.  A  True  Story.  o  45 

Master  P'ridolin.  Emmy  Giehrl.  o  25 

Milly  Aveling.  Sara  Trainer  Smith.  Cloth.  o  85 

Mysterious  Doorway.  Anna  T.  Sadlier.  o  40 

My  Strange  Friend.  Father  Finn.  0  25 

Nan  Nobody.  Mary  T  Waggaman.  0  40 

Old  Charlmont’s  Seed-Bed.  Sara  Trainer  Smith.  0  40 

Old  Robber’s  Castle.  Canon  Schmid.  o  25 

Olive  and  the  Little  Cakes.  o  45 

1  o 


Overseer  of  Mahlbourg.  Canon  Schmid.  o  25 

Pancho  and  Panchita.  Mary  E.  Mannix.  0  40 

Pauline  Archer.  Anna  T.  Sadlier.  o  40 

Pickle  and  Pepper.  Ella  Loraine  Dorsey.  o  85 

Priest  of  Auvrigny.  o  45 

Queen’s  Page.  Katharine  Tynan  Hinkson.  o  40 

Richard;  or,  Devotion  to  the  Stuarts.  o  45 

Rose  Bush.  Canon  Schmid.  o  25 

Sea-Gull’s  Rock.  J.  Sandeau.  o  40 

Summer  at  Woodville.  Anna  T.  Sadlier.  0  40 

Tales  and  Legends  of  the  Middle  Ages.  F.  De  Capella.  o  75 

Taming  of  Polly.  Ella  Loraine  Dorsey.  o  85 

Three  Girls  and  Especially  One.  Marion  A.  Taggart.  o  40 

Three  Little  Kings.  Emmy  Giehrl.  o  25 

Tom  Playfair;  or,  Making  a  Start.  Father  Finn.  o  85 

Tom’s  Luckpot.  Mary  T.  Waggaman.  0  40 

Treasure  of  Nugget  Mountain.  M.  A.  Taggart.  0  85 

Village  Steeple,  The.  o  45 

Winnetou,  The  Apache  Knight.  Marion  Ames  Taggart,  o  85 

Wrongfully  Accused.  William  Flerchenbach.  s  o  40 

NOVELS  AND  STORIES. 

Aser.  The  Shepherd.  A  Christmas  Story.  Marion  Ames 
Taggart.  net,  0  35 

Bezaleel.  A  Christmas  Story.  Marion  Ames  Taggart. 

net,  0  35 

Circus  Rider’s  Daughter,  The.  A  Novel.  F.  v.  Brackel.  1  25 

Connor  D’Arcy’s  Struggles.  A  Novel.  Mrs.  W.  M.  Ber- 
tholds.  1  25 

Dion  and  the  Sibyls.  A  Classic  Novel.  Miles  Keon.  Cloth. 

1  25 

Fabiola;  or,  The  Church  of  the  Catacombs.  By  Cardinal  Wise¬ 
man.  Popular  Illustrated  Edition,  0.90;  Edition  de  luxe,  5  00 

Fabiola’s  Sisters.  A  Companion  Volume  to  Cardinal  Wiseman’s 
“  Fabiola.”  A.  C.  Clarke.  1  25 

Heiress  of  Cronenstein,  The.  Countess  Hahn-Hahn.  1  25 

Idols;  or,  The  Secrets  of  the  Rue  Chaussee  d’Antin.  De  Navery. 

1  25 

Let  No  Man  Put  Asunder.  A  Novel.  Josephine  Marie  1  oc 

Linked  Lives.  A  Novel.  Lady  Gertrude  Douglas.  1  5c 

Marcella  Grace.  A  Novel.  Rosa  Mulholland.  Illustratec 
Edition.  1  25 

Miss  Erin.  A  Novel.  M.  E.  Francis.  1  2; 

Monk’s  Pardon,  The.  A  Historical  Novel  of  the  Time  of  Philip 
IV.  of  Spain.  Raoul  de  Navery.  1  25 

Mr.  Billy  Buttons.  A  Novel.  Walter  Lecky.  1  25 

Outlaw  of  Camargue,  The.  A  Novel.  A.  de  Lamothe.  1  2; 


Passing  Shadows.  A  Novel.  Anthony  Yorke.  i  25 

Pere  Monnier’s  Ward.  A  Novel.  Walter  Lecky.  *  1  25 

Petronilla.  E.  C.  Donnelly.  1  00 

Prodigal’s  Daughter,  The.  Lelia  Hardin  Bugg.  1  00 

Romance  of  a  Playwright.  Vte.  Henri  de  Bornier.  1  00 


Round  Table  of  the  Representative  American  Catholic 
Novelists.  Complete  Stories,  with  Biographies,  Portraits, 
etc.  Cloth,  1  50 

Round  Table  of  the  Representative  French  Catholic 
Novelists.  Complete  Stories,  with  Biographies,  Portraits,  etc. 
Cloth,  1  50 

Round  Table  of  tile  Representative  Irish  and  English  Cath¬ 
olic  Novelists.  Complete  Stories,  Biographies,  Portraits 
etc.  Cloth,  1  50 

True  Story  of  Master  Gerard,  The.  By  Anna  T.  Sadlier.  1  25 

Vocation  of  Edward  Conway.  A  Novel.  Maurice  F.  Egan.  1  25 

Woman  of  Fortune,  A.  Christian  R^id.  1  25 

World  Well  Lost.  Esther  Robertson.  0  75 


LIVES  AND  HISTORIES. 

Autobiography  of  St.  Ignatius  Loyola.  Edited  by  Rev.  J.  F.  X. 
O’Conor.  Cloth,  net ,  1  25 

Blessed  Ones  of  1888,  Tile.  Bl.  Clement  Maria  Hofbauer, 
C.SS.R. ;  Bl.  Louis  Marie  Grignon  de  Montfort;  Bl.  Brother 
Aegidius  Mary  of  St.  Joseph;  Bl.  Josephine  Mary  of  St. 
Agnes.  From  the  original  by  Eliza  A.  Donnelly.  With  Il¬ 
lustrations,  o  50 

IIistoriocraphia  Ecclesiastica  quam  Historiae  seriam  Sohdamque 
Operam  Navantibus,  Accommodavit  Guil.  Stang,  D.D. 

net,  1  00 

History  of  the  Catholic  Church.  Brueck.  2  vols.  net,  3  00 

History  of  tile  Catholic  Church.  John  Gilmary  Shea, 
LL.D.  1  50 

History  of  the  Protestant  Reformation  in  England  and 
Ireland.  Wm.  Cobbett.  Cloth,  net,  0.50;  paper,  net,  0  25 

Letters  of  St.  Alphonsus  Liguori.  Rev.  Eugene  Grimm, 
C.SS.R.  Centenary  Edition.  5  vols.,  each,  net,  1  25 

Life  of  Blessed  Margaret  Mary.  Mgr.  Bougaud,  Bishop  of 
Laval.  net,  1  50 

Life  of  Christ.  Illustrated.  Father  M.  v.  Cochem.  1  25 

Life  of  Father -Charles  Sire,  of  the  Society  of  Jesus.  Rev. 
Vital  Sire.  net,  1  00 

Life  of  Fattier  Jogues,  Missionary  Priest  of  the  Society  of 
Jesus.  Father  F.  Martin,  S.J.  net,  o  75 

Life  of  F'r.  Francis  Poilvaciie,  C.SS.R.  Paper,  net,  o  20 

Life  of  Mother  Fonteonne,  Foundress  of  the  Sisters  of  St. 
Joseph  of  Lyons.  Abbe  Rivaux.  Cloth,  net,  1  25 

Life  of  Sister  Anne  Katherine  Emmerich,  of  the  Order  of  Sr. 
Augustine.  Rev.  Thomas  Wegener,  O.S.A.  net,  1  50 

12 


Life  of  St.  Aloysius  Gonzaga,  of  the  Society  of  Jesus. 

Rev.  J.  F.  X.  O’Conor,  S.J.  net,  o  75 

Life  of  St.  Catharine  of  Siena.  Edward  L.  Ayme,  M.D.  1  00 

1  00 

Life  of  St.  Clare  of  Montefalco.  Locke,  O.S.A.  net,  o  75 
Life  of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  Illustrated.  Rev.  B.  Rohner, 
O.S.B.  1  25. 

Life  of  the  Yen.  Mary  Crescentia  Hoess.  Rev.  C.  Dey- 
mann,  O.S.F.  net,  1  25 

Little  Lives  of  Saints  for  Children.  Berthold.  Ill.  Cloth, 

0  75 

Lourdes:  Its  Inhabitants,  Its  Pilgrims,  Its  Miracles.  Rev.. 

R.  F.  Clarke,  S.J.  0  75 

Names  that  Live  in  Catholic  Hearts.  Anna  T.  Sadlier.  1  00 
Our  Birthday  Bouquet.  Eleanor  C.  Donnelly.  1  00 

Our  Lady  of  Good  Counsel  in  Genazzano.  A  History  of  that 

Ancient  Sanctuary.  Anne  R.  Bennett-Gladstone.  o  75 

Outlines  of  Jewish  History,  from  Abraham  to  Our  Lord. 

Rev.  F.  E.  Gigot,  S.S.  net,  1  50 

Outlines  of  New  Testament  PIistory.  Rev.  F.  E.  Gigot, 

S. S.  Cloth,  net,  1  50 

Pictorial  Lives  of  the  Saints.  Cloth,  1.00;  25  copies,  17  50 
Reminiscences  of  Rt.  Rev.  Edgar  P.  Wadhams,  D.D.,  First 

Bishop  of  Ogdensburg.  Rev.  C.  A.  Walworth.  net,  1  00 
St.  Anthony,  The  Saint  of  the  Whole  World.  Rev.  Thomas 
F.  Ward.  Cloth,,  o  75 

Story  of  the  Divine  Child.  Very  Rev.  Dean  A.  A.  Lings  o  75 
Victories  of  the  Martyrs.  St.  Alphonsus  de  Liguori.  net,  1  25 
Visit  to  Europe  and  the  Holy  Land.  Rev.  H.  Fairbanks.  1  50 
Widows  and  Charity.  Work  of  the  Women  of  Calvary  and  Its 
Foundress.  Abbe  Chaffanjon.  Paper,  net,  o  50 

Women  of  Catholicity.  Anna  T.  Sadlier.  1  00^ 


THEOLOGY,  LITURGY,  SERMONS,  SCIENCE,  AND 

PHILOSOPHY. 

Abridged  Sermons,  for  All  Sundays  of  the  Year.  St.  Al- 
phonsus  de  Liguori.  Centenary  Edition.  Grimm,  C.SS.R. 

net,  1  25 

Bad  Christian,  The.  Rev.  •  F.  Hunolt,  S.J.  Translated  by 
Rev.  J.  Allen,  D.D.  2  vols.,  net,  5  oo- 

Blessed  Sacrament,  Sermons  on  the.  Especially  for  the  Forty 
Hours’  Adoration.  Rev.  J.  B.  Scheurer,  D.D.  Edited 

by  Rev.  F.  X.  Lasance.  net,  1  50 

Breve  Compendium  Theologiae  Dogmaticae  et  Moralis  una 
cum,  aliquibus  Notionibus  Theologiae  Canonicae  Liturgiae, 
Pastoralis  et  Mysticae,  ac  Philosophiae  Christianae.  Berthier, 
M.S.  net,  2  50 

Business  Guide  for  Priests.  Stang,  D.D.  net,  o  85 

Canonical  Procedure  in  Disciplinary  and  Criminal  Cases 
of  Clerics.  Rev.  F.  Droste.  net,  1  50 

Children  of  Mary,  Sermons  for  the.  From  the  Italian  of 
Rev.  F.  Callerio.  Edited  by  Rev.  R.  F.  Clarke.  S.J.  net,  1  50 
Christian  Anthropology.  Sermons.  Rev.  John  Thein.  net,  2  50 
Christian  Philosophy.  A  Treatise  on  the  Human  Soul. 
Rev.  J.  T.  Driscoll,  S.T.L.  net,  1  25 


13 


Christian's  Last  End,  The.  Sermons.  Rev.  F.  Hunolt,  S.J. 

Translated  by  Rev.  J.  Allen,  D.D.  2  vols.,  net,  5  00 

Christian's  Model,  The.  Sermons.  Rev.  F.  Hunolt,  S.J. 

Translated  by  Rev.  J.  Allen,  D.D.  2  vols.,  net,  5  00 

Christian  State  of  Life,  The.  Sermons.  Rev.  F.  Hunolt, 
S.J.  Translated  by  Rev.  J.  Allen,  D.D.  net,  5  00 

•Christ  in  Type  and  Prophecy.  Rev.  A.  J.  Maas,  S.J.,  Pro¬ 
fessor  of  Oriental  Languages  in  Woodstock  College.  2  vols.. 

net,  4  00 

Church  Announcement  Book.  net,  o  25 

Church  Treasurer's  Pew.  Collection  and  Receipt  Book. 

net,  1  00 

Com mentarium  in  Facultates  Apostolicas  Episcopis  necnon 
Vicariis  et  Praefectis  Apostolicis  per  Modum  Formularum 
concedi  solitas  ad  usum  V enerabilis  Cleri,  imprimis  Ameri- 
cani  concinnatum  ab  Antonio  Ivonings,  C.SS.R.  Edito 
quarto,  recognita  in  pluribus  emendata  et  aucta,  curante 
Joseph  Putzer,  C.SS.R.  net,  2  25 

■Compendium  Juris  Canonici,  ad  usum  Cleri  et  Seminariorum 
hujus  Regionis  accommodatum.  net,  2  00 

Compendium  Sacrae  Liturgiae  Juxta  Ritum  Romanum  una 
cum  Appendice  de  Jure  Ecclesiastico  Particulari  in  America 
Foederata  Sept,  vigente  scripsit  P.  Innocentius  Wapelhorst, 
O.S.F.  Editio  quinta  emendation  net,  2  50 

Confessional,  The.  Right  Rev.  A.  Roeggl,  D.D.  net ,  1  00 

Data  of  Modern  Ethics  Examined.  Ming,  S.J.  net ,  2  00 

De  Piiilosophia  Morali  Praei.ectiones  quas  in  Collegio 
Georgiopolitano  Soc.  Jesu,  Anno  1889-90  Habuit  P.  Nicolaus 
Russo.  Editio  altera.  net,  2  00 

Ecclesiastical  Dictionary.  Rev.  John  Them.  net,  5  00 

Elements  of  Ecclesiastical  Law.  Rev.  S.  B.  Smith,  D.D. 
Ecclesiastical  Persons.  net,  2  50 

Ecclesiastical  Punishments.  net,  2  50 

Ecclesiastical  Trials.  net,  2  50 

Funeral  Sermons.  Rev.  Aug.  Wirth,  O.S.B.  2  vols.,  net,  2  00 

General  Introduction  to  the  Study  of  Holy  Scriptures. 

Rev.  Francis  E.  Gigot,  S.S.  Cloth,  net,  2  00 

God  Knowable  and  Known.  Rev.  Maurice  Ronayne,  S.J. 

net,  1  25 

Good  Christian,  The.  Rev.  J.  Allen,  D.D.  2  vols.,  net,  5  00 
History  of  the  Mass  and  Its  Ceremonies  in  the  Eastern  and 
Western  Church.  Rev.  John  O’Brien.  nee,  1  25 

Last  Things,  Sermons  on  the  Four.  Hunolt.  Translated  by 
Rev.  John  Allen,  D.D.  2  vols.,  net,  5  00 

Lenten  Sermons.  Edited  by  Rev.  Augustine  Wirth,  O.S.B. 

net ,  2  00 

Tiber  Status  Animarum;  or,  Parish  Census  Book.  Pocket 
Edition,  net,  0.25;  half  leather,  net,  2  00 

.Literary,  Scientific,  and  Political  Views  of  Orestes  A. 

Brownson.  H.  F.  Brownson.  net,  1  25 

Marriage  Process  in  the  United  States.  Smith.  net,  2  50 
Moral  Principles  and  Medical  Practice,  The  Basis  of  Medi¬ 
cal  Jurisprudence.  Rev.  Charles  Coppens,  S.J.,  Pro¬ 
fessor  of  Medical  Jurisprudence  in  the  John  A.  Creighton 
Medical  College,  Omaha,  Neb.;  Author  of  Text-books  in 
Metaphysics,  Ethics,  etc.  net,  1  50 

Natural  Law  and  Legal  Practice.  ITolaind,  S.J.  net,  1  75 


14 


1 


Natural  Theology.  Rev.  B.  Boedder,  S.J.  net,  i  50 

New  and  Old  Sermons.  A  Repertory  of  Catholic  Pulpit  Elo¬ 

quence.  Edited  by  Rev.  Augustine  YVirth,  O.S.B.  8  vols., 

net,  16  00 

Office  of  Tenebrae,  The.  Transposed  from  the  Gregorian 
Chant  into  Modern  Notation.  Rev.  J.  A.  McCallen,  S.S. 

net,  o  50 

Our  Lord,  The  Blessed  Virgin,  and  the  Saints,  Sermons  on. 
Rev.  Francis  Hunolt,  S.J.  Translated  by  Rev.  John 
Allen,  D.D.  2  vols.,  net,  5  00 

Outlines  of  Dogmatic  Theology.  Rev.  Sylvester  Jos. 

Hunter,  S.J.  3  vols.,  net,  4  50 

Outlines  of  New  Testament  History.  Gigot.  Cloth,  net,  1  50 

Pastoral  Theology.  Rev.  Wm.  Stang,  D.D.  nec,  1  50 

Penance,  Sermons  on.  Rev.  Francis  Hunolt,  S.J.  Translated 
by  Rev.  John  Allen.  2  vols.,  net,  5  00 

Penitent  Christian,  The.  Sermons.  Rev.  F.  Hunolt. 

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Pew-Rent  Receipt  Book.  net,  1  00 

Praxis  Synodalis.  Manuale  Synodi  Diocesanae  ac  Provincialis 
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Priest  in  the  Pulpit,  The.  A  Manual  of  Homiletics  and  Cate- 
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Registrum  Baptismorum.  net,  3  50 

Registrum  Matrimoniorum.  net,  3  50 

Rituale  Compendiosum  seu  Ordo  Administrandi  quaedam  Sacra- 
menta  et  alia  Officia  Ecclesiastica  Rite  Peragendi  ex  Rituali 
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Rosary,  Sermons  on  the  Most  Holy.  Frings.  net,  1  00 

Sacred  Heart,  Six  Sermons  on  Devotion  to  the.  Rev. 

Dr.  E.  Bierbaum.  net,  o  60 

Sanctuary  Boys’  Illustrated  Manual.  Embracing  the  Cere¬ 
monies  of  the  Inferior  Ministers  at  Low  Mass,  High  Mass, 
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Blessed  Sacrament,  and  Absolution  for  the  Dead.  Rev. 
J.  A.  McCallen,  S.S.  net,  o  50 

Sermon  Manuscript  Book.  net,  2  00 

Sermons  for  the  Sundays  and  Chief  Festivals  of  the  _  Ec¬ 
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and  a  Triduum  for  the  Forty  Hours.  Rev.  J.  Pottgeisser, 
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Sermons  on  the  Christian  Virtues.  Rev.  F.  Hunolt,  S.J. 

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Sermons  on  the  Different  States  of  Life.  Rev.  F. 
Hunolt,  S.J.  Translated  by  Rev.  John  Allen.  2  vols., 

net,  5  00 

Sermons  on  the  Seven  Deadly  Sins.  Rev.  F.  Hunolt,  S.J. 

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Short  Sermons.  Rev.  F.  Hunolt,  S.J.  5  vols..  10  00 

Short  Sermons  for  Low  Masses.  Schouppe,  S.J.  net,  1  25 
Synopsis  Theologiae  Dogmaticae  ad  Mentem  S.  Thomae 

A>2UINatis,  hodiernis  moribus  accommodata,  auctore  Ad. 
Tanquerey,  S.S. : 

1.  Theologia  Fundamentalis.  Half  morocco,  net,  1  50 

2.  Theologia  Dogmatica  Specialis.  2  vols.,  half  morocco, 

net,  3  00 
IS 


A 


"Theologia  Moralis  Novissimi  Ecclesiae  Doctoris  Alphonsi. 
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cani  accommodata.  Auctore  Rev.  A.  Konings,  C.SS.R.  Editio 
septima,  auctior  et  novis  curis  expolitior  curante  Henrico 
Kuper,  C.SS.R.  2  vols.,  net,  4  00 

Two-Edged  Sword.  Rev.  Augustine  Wirth,  O.S.B.  'Paper, 

net,  o  25 

Vade  Mecum  Sacerdotum,  continens  Preces  ante  et  post  Mis- 
sam,  modum  providendi  infirmos,  necnon  multas  Benedic- 
tionum  Formulas.  Cloth,  net,  o  25;  Morocco  flexible, 

net,  o  50 

What  Catholics  Have  Done  for  Science.  With  sketches  of 
the  Great  Catholic  Scientists.  Rev.  Martin  S.  Brennan.  1  00 


MISCELLANEOUS. 

A  Gentleman.  M.  F.  Egan,  LL.D.  o  75 

A  Lady.  Manners  and  Social  Usages.  Lelia  Hardin  Bugg.  o  75 

Aids  to  Correct  and  Effective  Elocution.  With  Selected 
Readings.  Eleanor  O’Grady.  1  25 

Bone  Rules;  or,  Skeleton  of  English  Grammar.  Rev.  J. 

B.  Tabb,  A.M.  o  50 

Cantata  Catiiolica.  B.  IT.  F.  Hellebusch.  net,  2  00 

Catechism  of  Familiar  Things.  Their  History,  and  the 
Events  which  Led  to  Their  Discovery.  With  a  Short  Ex¬ 
planation  of  Some  of  the  Principal  Natural  Phenomena. 

1  00 

Catholic  Home  Annual.  Stories  by  Best  Writers.  0  25 

Correct  Thing  for  Catholics,  The.  Lelia  Hardin  Bugg.  o  75 

Elocution  Class.  A  Simplification  of  the  Laws  and  Principles 
of  Expression.  Eleanor  O’Grady.  net,  0  50 

Eve  of  the  Reformation,  The..  An  Historical  Essay  on  the 
Religious,  Literary,  and  Social  Condition  of  Christendom, 
with  Special  Reference  to  Germany  and  England,  from  the 
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the  Outbreak  of  the  Religious  Revolt.  Rev.  Wm.  Stang. 
Paper,  net,  o  25 

Games  of  Catholic  American  Authors: 


Pictorial  Game  of  Catholic  American  Authors. 

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Series  B,  *  net,  o  15 


Games  of  Quotations  from  Catholic  American  Authors. 

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Series  II.,  net,  o  15 

Series  III.,  net,  o  15 


Guide  for  Sacristans  and  Others  Having  Charge  of  the  Altar 
and  Sanctuary.  By  a  Member  of  an  Altar  Society. 


net,  o  75 

How  to  Get  On.  Rev.  Bernard  Feeney.  1  00 

Little  Folks’  Annual.  0.05;  per  100,  3  00 

On  Christian  Art.  Edith  Plealy.  0  50 

Readings  and  Recitations  for  Juniors.  O’Grady.  net,  o  50 

Select  Recitations  for  Catholic  Schools  and  Academies. 
Eleanor  O’Grady.  1  00 


c/oi/c 


16 


BT600 .L72 
The  glories  of  Mary. 


Princeton  Theological  Seminary-Speer  Library 


1  1012  00014  5666 


